Passive corruption in the reconstruction of Mexico City

Abstract

This paper presents a case study of passive corruption in the reconstruction of Mexico City after the earthquake of September 19th, 2017. It uses data obtained through qualitative mixed methods and presents a socio-legal analysis of the technical record of a damaged building in process of rehabilitation, selected as a critical case study. By using the concepts of passive corruption and “long-term reciprocity chains” (cronyism), the article reveals the mechanisms that the real estate sector uses to protect its interests.