Mexico Flashcards
Mexican Miracle
Describes a period during which Mexico had a rapidly increasing GNP in orderly transition from an authoritarian to a democratic govt; followed by plummeting oil prices–>mounting debt
Describe Spanish rule of the colonies
Mexico was ruled by a viceroy–governor put in place by the Spanish king. Centralized, authoritarian, allowed little participation by indigenous
Revolution of 1910-1911
An important source of legitimacy; describes Mexican independence from Spain
What was the Revolution legitimized by?
The formation of the PRI in 1929, which was intended to stabilize political power in the hands of its leaders.
What is a Mexican historical tradition wrt concentration of power?
Authoritarianism–both from colonial and military power; currently the pres still holds a great deal of political power.
How has populism affected Mexico, historically?
Revolutions have had mostly peasant bases led by charismatic figures; the modern Zapatista movement reflects this
How has power been divided in Mexico, historically?
Power plays/divisions within the elite
What is a major part of Mexico’s political history?
Instability and legitimacy issues; violence in politics.
How is religion important to Mexican political culture?
A large percentage of Mexicans are devout Catholics, and their beliefs strongly influence political values and actions.
Camarillas
Patron-client networks; extends from the political elites to vote-mobilizing organizations throughout the country. Corruption is one by-product of patron-clientelism.
How has the economy defined Mexican political culture?
~ has been a very economically dependent country, whether on Spain or the United States.
How has geography influenced Mexican politics/government?
Communication/transportation across the country is difficult around mountains and rugged terrain limits areas where agriculture is possible. Mexico has an abundance of oil, silver, and other natural resources. Their border w the US has caused problems.
How has the population (size and location) demographics of Mexico affected its politics?
It’s the most populous Spanish-speaking country in the world and it has urbanized rapidly, beginning in the late 20th century, which interrupted patron-clientelism.
What effects has colonialism had on Mexico?
Cultural heterogeneity (Status differences were clearly drawn by Spain, tho most are now Mestizo), Catholicism (Missionaries settled), Economic dependency (had to serve mother colony)
Who led the Rebellion of 1810?
Father Miguel Hidalgo
What were important influences under Independence/New Country?
Instability/Legitimacy issues; rise of the military; domination by the US (territorial loss); Liberal v Conservative struggle
Benito Juarez
A liberal President and military general, one of Mexico’s greatest heroes; very popular w ordinary Mexican citizens, but with a base of support among elites
What promise did Porfirio Diaz break to Mexico?
To limit himself to only one term
What group of people did Diaz bring w him?
Cientificos–a group of young advisors who believed in bringing scientific/economic progress to Mexico
What are influences of Porfirio’s regime?
Stability, authoritarianism (concentrated in elite), foreign investment/economic growth, growing wealth gap
How did the 1910 Revolution begin?
With a coup from the elite to remove Diaz from office; resulted in a period of warlordism and popular uprisings that lasted until 1934.
Who were two famous leaders of peasant armies during the era of warlordism btw 1910-1934?
Emiliano Zapata and Pancho Villa, who rebelled against the patron-client system.
What did the Constitution of 1917 do?
Meant to set up a democratic structure complete with three branches and competitive elections, but did not bring an end to violence. Limited foreigner’s rights to exploit natural resources.
The Cristero Rebellion
1920s, saw hundreds of thousands of people killed–many priests. Liberals saw the church as a bastion of conservatism and put laws in place to limit religious practices.
Which president established the PRI?
Calles–he wanted to bring all caudillos under one big political party.
How was the PRI intended to work?
People would ‘pass around’ power, caudillos becoming President for periods of 6 yrs.
Why was the PRI first established?
To stabilize infighting between Mexican leaders.
President Lazaro Cardenas
Stabilized and radicalized Mexican politics and gave voice to peasant demands during the Great Depression.
Ejidos
Collective land grants to be worked by peasants, created and redistributed by Cardenas.
PEMEX
A giant, govt controlled oil company, created under Cardenas’ plan to nationalize industry.
What did Cardenas do that would modernize Mexico?
Invested in public works.
How did Cardenas promote linking institutions?
He encouraged peasant and union organizations.
Where was power concentrated under Cardenas?
The presidency
What strategy of state-led development did Cardenas utilize?
Import substitution industrialization – employs high tariffs, govt control, and subsidies to domestic industries.
State Corporatism
The president determines who represents different groups to the govt–occurred under Cardenas.
Pendulum Theory
Set into place when Aleman was elected after Cardenas–idea that govt swings back and forth btw liberalism and conservativism
Describe Mexican politics in the 1970s
Tecnicos–educated, business-oriented leaders–took control of the govt and PRI with a moderate, free-market approach to politics.
Neoliberalism
Calls for free markets, balanced budget, privatization, free trade and limited govt intervention. Utilized by Mexico in the 1980s.
What is a major division within the PRI?
That btw politicos (old-style caciques) and tecnicos
Crosscutting
A type of cleavage–different issues emerge as the issues change, intersect; the usual for Mexico
Describe one cleavage regarding population sizing
Urban v rural–political structure put into place during a time when most of the pop. lived in rural areas; today Mexico is mostly urban, and urban voters are less likely to support PRI/more likely to support economic reform
Describe social class in Mexico
economic inequality is high, but the middle class is growing due to the informal economy/industry
Describe ethnic cleavages in Mexico
Mestizo v Amerindian–main ethnic cleavage; tends to define social class, w mestizos making more $$ than Amerindian
Describe a geographic cleavage of Mexico
North v south – north is prosperous, partly because of trade w the US, it has a substantial middle class, and is very educated; meanwhile, the south is more Amerindian and income is lower.
What has characterized Mexican political participation?
Revolution, despite the historically authoritarian rule
Describe Mexican patron-clientlism
Has it roots in warlordism and loyalty to early 19th century caudillos–leaders. Each group formed a camarilla through which offices and other benefits were exchanged.
How does the patron-client system affect Mexico today?
Still very important despite modernization; many are distrustful of the gov’t.
How has the gov’t responded to protest?
Co-optation–for example, after student protests resulted in high casualty in Tlatelolco Plaza, the next pres. recruited large numbers of student activists into his administration.
Zapitista (EZLN) uprising
Sponsored by the state of Chiapas; protest by Amerindians against mestizo control
New Generation
Formed from the remnants of defeated gangs, suggesting they will not go away just because leaders are captured.
What was the voting rate like in Mexico under PRI control?
Very high, as the patron-client system required political support.
Have competing parties existed in Mexico, historically?
Yes, since the 1930s.
What region does the PRI typically succeed in?
The north/northeast and the Yucatan
What region does the PRD succeed?
Southern Mexico
What region does the PAN succeed?
Northern Mexico
How does poverty affect voting behavior?
PRI has strong support from rural, impoverished peoples due to patron-clientelism. Recently, the PRD and PAN have expanded popularity.
How does Mexico interact w state corporatism?
The PRI practiced it, mediating btw diff groups to ensure that no one became more powerful than govt; formally divided interest groups into three sectors: labor, peasants and the middle class (“popular”).
How did the PRI ultimately “fall”?
Businessmen were discontented and created the PAN.
How have NGOs interacted w the govt?
Increased significantly in recent years in response to gang violence and corruption.
What regime structure has Mexico typically had?
State corporatist–central, authoritarian rule that allows input from interest groups outside of government.
Describe Mexico’s economy
“Developing”; moving up in various indices.
Describe Mexico’s current rule
“Flawed democracy”/”Transitioning democracy”–from an authoritarian to a democratic. Has not been stable wrt the freedom of its electoral process, political participation, political culture and civil liberties.
What are the three largest parties in Mexico right now?
PRI, PAN, PRD
Describe the PRI
Corporatist–interest groups are brought under party umbrella and govt input is allowed from selected party groups–and patron-client, especially in rural areas
To whom did the PRI lose the presidency, and to whom?
Vicente Fox in 2000
What is the PAN’s platform comprised of?
RIGHT WING: Support for state’s rights, a free market economy, clean/fair elections, Catholicism, and private/religious education
What are some problems the PRD has encountered?
Defining left-of-center alternatives to market-oriented policies established by the PRI; divided by issues; poor organization
Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador
PRD’s standard-bearer; popular mayor of Mexico City.
Describe PRI voters
Small town/rural, less educated, older, poorer
Describe PAN voters
Northerners, middle-class prof/business, better educated, religious
Describe PRD voters
younger, politically active, central states, some education, small town/urban, strongest in Mexico City.
Where are elections most competitive?
Urban areas
Describe election of 2006
Calderon (PAN) vs Obrador (PRD) vs Madrazo (PRI); PRI trailed behind; Calderon won and Obrador demanded a full recount, claiming the election was stolen; held protests.
How is the President selected?
First past the post
How are members of Congress elected?
Dual system of first past the post and proportional representation.
How are senators selected?
Each of Mexico’s 31 states elects 3 senators; 2 determined by plurality vote, and the third is determined by whichever party receives the 2nd-highest number of votes.
How are members of the lower house selected?
300 seats determined by plurality and 200 determined by proportional representation
Educational Workers Union
Latin America’s largest trade union; neo-corporatist
Ejido
Land granted to peasants by the Mexican govt; encouraged peasant organizations
How did the media function under the PRI?
PRI monopolized govt and politics; the media had little power to criticize govt or influence public opinion; journalists’ salaries were based on compliance
Yo Soy 132
Movement that formed accusing Nieto of corruption, tyranny and authoriarianism
Describe the fed govt’s relationship w local/state govts
Technically a federal republic, though state/local govts have little power
Describe checks and balances in Mexico
Executive branch has had virtually all the power; exists mostly theoretically
Describe the Constitution of 1917
Very long, easily amended, describes strong presidential system
Where is the bureaucracy concentrated?
Mexico City
Describe the job of the bureaucrat
Paid very little and tied to the patron-client system under PRI
Para-satal
Huge under PRI; composed of semi-autonomous or autonomous govt agencies. Best known is PEMEX.
Describe the Mexican legislature
Bicameral
What is the Mexican lower house called?
500-person Chamber of Deputies
What is the Mexican upper house called?
128-member Senate
Describe PRI control of the legislature
Control slipped much earlier than did that on the Presidency
How do women participate in the govt?
Parties must run at least 30% women for both lists for the proportional election and the single-member election
Does Mexico have judicial review?
No; no independent judiciary
How much legitimacy does the Constitution of 1917 give Mexico?
Very little
Describe Mexico’s court system
Supreme Court presides over federal and state courts
Who has controlled the judicial branch, historically?
The president
How long are Supreme Court judges appointed?
Technically for life, though most presidents reassign judges at the beginning of each sexeno
Which president tried to encourage rule of law?
Ernest Zedillo (1994-2000)
How does most of Mexico perceive judges?
They believe they are corrupt.
