The nub of the problem is stated in the second preface to this book: 'you cannot build a sound economic structure unless credit and contracts are sustained by courts that can be trusted…" Barron's belief is that Mexico's currency (in 1917 when he was writing) was the cartridge. It was a lawless place where no one could be trusted. Mexico was wealthy in resources, but so ill-governed and managed that use of these and proper development was impossible.
