The Threat Of Mexico's Massive Underground Economy by Fernando Chávez, Worldcrunch
Informal, underground, black, "hidden." Economists have used a range of terms for economic activities that basically yield no taxes and don't contribute to bankrolling government services. Strictly speaking, the millions toiling this way in Mexico — and they account for more than half the workforce — are operating on the margins of the law and arguably working themselves into a social vacuum.
In fact, there is new data about the scale of Mexico's underground economy, providing insight into its evolution over the past decade. The research, from Mexico's National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), shows that the shadow economy accounted for 25% of GDP in 2012, and employed 60% of the working population, around 31 million people. This is clear evidence of a serious imbalance in the Mexican economy…
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The threat of Mexico's…
The threat of Mexico's massive underground economy is not something to be taken lightly. The underground economy is estimated to be between 25 and 35 percent of Mexico's GDP and it affects every facet of Mexican life, from crime and drug trafficking to the everyday business of food and transportation. The threat of Mexico's massive underground economy is not something to be taken lightly. The underground economy is estimated to be between 25 and 35 percent of Mexico's GDP and it affects every facet of Mexican life, from crime and drug trafficking to the everyday business of food and transportation. Well, I think casinos not on gamstop plays an important role in improve the economy of individuals because it provides chances to win big money games.
Dr. Bunker, I don’t know what to make of this. I’m not sure I follow exactly what the threat is. I have to say I wish Milton Freedman were here to help me with my doubt, and maybe Hernando de Soto or one of his disciples will jump in. As a fellow Red-Teamer it occurs to me that maybe there is too much underlying prejudice in your expression toward government provision of material well-being. I admit being partial to the idea that evidence of ownership should be formalized (made increasingly immutable) so as to create equity, so I want to agree with you that the vast extent of underground industry might be a sign that something is amiss. At the same time, I don’t see how the benefit of formalization resides in the ease of taxation it carries with it, or in the funding of government programs. Were you wanting to imply that Mexican government programs are incorrupt, efficient, just providers of Mexican progress? Hmmmm. Maybe it is exactly Mexican governance that is causing the bloat of the underground economy by still placing barriers (including corruptocrative barriers) in the way of formal entrepreneurship. I suspect that is what the de Sotoistas might find. No? I know facts are slim these days as they pertain to the demographics of the recent surge in migration into the United States, but from what I can tell most of the migration is from beyond Mexico, that Mexico’s economy is not so bad that there has been an acceleration of economic migration north. Perhaps it is therefore a bit disrespectful to suggest that Mexico has turned into an economic or social hell-hole just because so many people there make a meager living off-grid.