Disorder and Progress: Bandits, Police, and Mexican Development

This reissue of Prof. Vanderwood's groundbreaking study-available again for the first time in a decade-examines bandits, police, and Mexican politics as a whole, showing how different groups used the agents of order and disorder to serve their interests. Originally published in 1981, Disorder and Progress was subsequently revised and updated in 1992. Added to the enlarged 1992 edition and included here in this reissue are the entirely new introduction, material on the period of the independence wars and on Pancho Villa, and an updated bibliography. This book also incorporates additional data and interpretations regarding bandits and instruments for maintaining order that were included in the 1992 edition. Maps and illustrations will help readers appreciate the issues under discussion.

Paul Vanderwood is professor of Mexican history at San Diego State University.