Final answer:
Mexico is considered a semi-periphery country that fits an intermediate economic status between core and periphery nations, shaped by factors such as globalization, NAFTA, maquiladoras, and the presence of drug cartels in the economy.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the Cold War era, the term second world country referred to nations that were not as advanced as first world countries but were more developed than third world countries. This categorization was based on economic development and standards of living. Mexico is often considered a semi-periphery country because it is industrializing and occupies an intermediate position in the global economic system, between the more developed core countries and the less developed periphery countries.
Additionally, Mexico has undergone significant changes due to globalization. For instance, the establishment of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the existence of maquiladoras (factories) have greatly impacted Mexico's economic and employment situations. Moreover, the country's socioeconomic landscape is also shaped by the presence of drug cartels, which, controversially, are part of the economic fabric. These dynamics illustrate Mexico's complex position in the world's economic hierarchy.