An Impossible Living in a Transborder World: Culture, Confianza, and Economy of Mexican-Origin Populations (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9780816526352)

They are known as cundinas or tandas in Mexico, and for many people these local savings-and-loan operations play an indispensable role in the struggle to succeed in today's transborder economy. With this extensively researched book, Carlos V駘ez-Ib碵ez updates and expands upon his major 1983 study of rotating savings and credit associations (ROSCAs), incorporating new data that reflect the explosion of Mexican-origin populations in the United States. Much more than a study of one economic phenomenon though, the book examines the way in which these practices are part of greater transnational economies and how these populations engage in-and suffer through-the twenty-first century global economy.

Central to the ROSCA is the cultural concept of mutual trust, or confianza. This is the cultural glue that holds the reciprocal relationship together. As V駘ez-Ib碵ez explains, confianza "shapes the expectations for relationships within broad networks of interpersonal links, in which intimacies, favors, goods, services, emotion, power, or information are exchanged." In a border region where migration, class movement, economic changes, and institutional inaccessibility produce a great deal of uncertainty, Mexican-origin populations rely on confianza and ROSCAs to maintain a sense of security in daily life. How do transborder people adapt these common practices to meet the demands of a global economy? That is precisely what V駘ez-Ib碵ez investigates.

Author: Carlos G. V駘ez-Ib碵ez
ISBN-10: 0816526354
ISBN-13: 9780816526352
Publisher: University of Arizona Press
Language: English
Published: 12/15/2010
Pages: 264
Format: Paperback
Weight: 0.85lbs
Size: 6.00h x 8.90w x 0.70d

Review Citation(s):
Choice 04/01/2011
Reference and Research Bk News 04/01/2011 pg. 120