This work investigates how rural social movements in Mexico successfully demand accountability from state institutions despite entrenched power imbalances. Jonathan A. Fox, a professor specializing in Latin American politics and social accountability, utilizes extensive field research and historical analysis to examine the interaction between grassroots organizations and government agencies. The book argues that accountability is not merely a top-down legal process but a result of sustained pressure from organized civil society actors who leverage institutional openings to secure transparency and responsiveness.

Scholars in the field of political science frequently cite this work as a foundational text for understanding the mechanics of social accountability in developing democracies. Readers often note the academic density of the prose, which provides a rigorous examination of institutional power dynamics.