Is Mexico a failed State?

According to Max Weber, a State is the legitimized monoply of physical violence. Increasingly, the Mexican State is loosing such monopoly. The growing power of drug cartels, the augmenting wave of violence, and a generalized violation of the Rule of Law makes us think that the Mexican State is overwhelmed. A recent Pentagon-endorsed study compares Mexico to countries such as Pakistan.

There are even those that believe that a US military intervention might be necessary in the near future. Putting aside nationalistic concerns of sovereignity and autonomy, this is worrysome in the sense that Mexico is begining to be seen as a country that cannot protect its own citizens.

You may read more about the topic at the following links:
http://www.theweek.com/article/index/92337/3/Mexicos_failed_state_threat
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123206674721488169.html

More than anything, this fact should be an eye-opener for Mexico's government officials for them to sit down and do their job.