Neoliberalism : strategy for development or a development paradox? : the case of the Mexican maquiladoras

Abstract

Since the 1970s and the economic crisis in the West, export processing zones have become an integral part of a neoliberal development strategy. As corporations in the West began relocating production facilities abroad via policies of economic liberalization, EPZs were, at the same time, advocated by free-market economists and large international financial institutions (IFIs) as in the interest of every country and everyone. However, it remains unclear the impact of liberalization on workers, specifically women workers, who come in search of employment in EPZs. This thesis looks at quality of work in the Mexican maquiladoras, paying particular attention to the role of gender in the restructuring process. Field-research was carried out and interviews were undertaken with workers and activists in Tijuana, Mexico in order to paint a picture of EPZ life and to assess, more broadly, the neoliberal model of development.