Introduction
In the words of Miguel de Cervantes, “Few or never is ambition fulfilled without harm to others.” This quote sets the stage for examining the growing informality and the powerful “Bisnera” economy in Mexico.
Historical Context: Forms of Government
Aristotle once identified monarchy, aristocracy, and democracy as virtuous forms of governance, contrasting them with tyranny, oligarchy, and demagoguery. The essence of these forms lies in the qualities of leaders and whether their orientation is towards the common good or personal gain at the expense of the people. While the political landscape in Mexico is clear, can we draw parallels to the business world? Specifically, between entrepreneurs and “Bisneros”? Yes, we can.
The Informal Economy: Data and Context
According to Felipe Morales Fredes in El Economista, the current employment situation is starkly depicted under the headline “In 2025, one million informal jobs were created, all held by men.” With over 54.6% labor informality, more than half of the PEA faces this challenge.
Another lens to understand this situation is the continued use of cash over electronic payment methods in transactions. Data from Banxico, ENIF (Inegi-CNBV), and IMCO show that cash usage averages around 80% in ordinary transactions, reaching 95% in some cases. In contrast, the US and Canada use cash for only 16% and 15% of transactions, respectively.
Consequences of Deteriorating Institutions
The erosion or elimination of national institutions, short-term and self-serving public policies, the weakening of the rule of law, and the proliferation of corruption and impunity among prominent political figures have significant consequences.
These factors gradually impact society as a whole, particularly the formal economic agents. Their visible installations, physical presence, and information reporting to authorities expose them to risks that often become unmanageable. This leads to business closures, reduced formal employment, and a structural deterioration of the economy.
The Rise of “Bisneros”
As systems become increasingly corrupted, there’s a disincentive to remain formal and a powerful incentive to “prosper” in informality. This fertile ground for utilitarian ideas and valueless maxims, such as “the squeaky wheel gets the grease” or “that’s how the game is played,” becomes unquestionable, especially when pronounced by opulent public figures during gatherings.
There are various types of characters and actors in this trendy ecosystem, each with varying levels of social responsibility. However, we’ll focus on the “Bisneros,” a species that has multiplied significantly and blends more easily into society.
Characteristics of Bisneros
According to Inegi’s Bulletin 71/25, businesses are categorized as Micro (95.5%), Small (3.7%), Medium (0.7%), and Large (0.1%). While large companies generate 43% of income, microenterprises contribute only 17.1%. Despite their differences in size and complexity, all invest capital, time, and effort into projects, assume market and viability risks, create jobs directly or indirectly, contribute to development and technical knowledge, deal with regulations and authorities, and pay taxes in varying degrees.
In contrast, the “Bisnero” sector lacks statistical indicators. These individuals can have high education levels, be average professionals, or even casual participants. Their business volumes range from minuscule to millions. Successful “Bisneros” typically have strong social skills, always on the lookout for opportunities in conversations with friends, professional gatherings, or business chats.
Despite their claims of influence and connections, “Bisneros” never invest personal capital, shift viability risks to parties involved, don’t create jobs, lack technical knowledge or understanding of their activities, avoid regulatory risks, and often receive commissions in cash or kind (including cryptocurrencies). Consequently, they increase transaction costs without adding value.
Conclusion: Normalization of Informality
Though not new, the normalization of informality through widespread adoption is disheartening. Once considered dishonest, this behavior now appears acceptable, much like the previous practice of “coyotear.”
Key Questions and Answers
- What are “Bisneros”? “Bisneros” refers to individuals who engage in informal business activities, often exploiting others’ resources and avoiding personal investment or responsibility.
- How do “Bisneros” impact the economy? They increase transaction costs without adding value, contribute to labor informality, and weaken the formal economy’s structure.
- What are the consequences of the growing informal economy in Mexico? It leads to a structural deterioration of the economy, reduced formal employment, and increased pressure on remaining taxpayers.
