Wordweb describes Leviathan as:
- The largest or most massive thing of its kind
- Monstrous sea creature symbolizing evil in the Old Testament
A recent Economist article (see The drug war hits Central America) has this usage of Leviathan:
Whatever the weaknesses of the Mexican state, it is a Leviathan compared with the likes of Guatemala or Honduras. Large areas of Guatemala—including some of its prisons—are out of the government’s control; and, despite the efforts of its president, the government is infiltrated by the mafia.
It is clear from this text and the rest of the article that Guatemala and Honduras are worse off than Mexico. If that is so, why is the word Leviathan used to refer to Mexico? From the above meaning of Leviathan, should not Mexico be the worst amongst the three? What is the typical usage of this word Leviathan?