In search of international influence: Mexico as an entrepreneurial power

Abstract

This article argues that the concept of entrepreneurial state is useful for analyzing Mexican foreign policy during recent decades. It argues that Mexico has behaved as an entrepreneurial state, following a limited foreign policy agenda to address national priorities, with important restrictions in terms of resources and agency, but seeking to obtain international recognition as a relevant global player that has influence on world affairs. This entrepreneurial behaviour is analyzed in Mexico's participation in international organizations (UN) and negotiations (climate change), mini-lateral mechanisms (MIKTA), and regional affairs (Central and Latin America). These cases show that, due to its limited capacities and agency, but its desire to become a relevant regional and global player to advance its national interest, Mexico has created coalitions with like-minded countries, pursued limited but domestically relevant global objectives, and invested its scarce foreign policy resources in an entrepreneurial manner.