First published in 1989, this book focuses upon the phenomenon of export-led industrialisation fuelled by foreign investment and technology. The author concentrates on Mexico, where US companies have been taking advantage of inexpensive labour to establish "maquila" factories that assemble US parts for export. Through this detailed study of the maquila industry, Sklair charts the progress from the political imperialism of colonial days to the economic imperialism of today.

1. The Maquillas in Global Perspective 2. The Border Context 3. Phases of Maquilla Expansion 4. The Californias 5. Paso del Norte 6. The Valley 7. The Long March to the Interior 8. Labor, Gender, and Politics 9. The Maquilla Strategy 10. The Reformation of Capitalism and the Future of the Maquilas