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AP COMPARATIVE GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS > Mexico > Flashcards

Mexico Flashcards

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1
Q

Mexican Miracle

A

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

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2
Q

Describe Spanish rule of the colonies

A

Mexico was ruled by a viceroy–governor put in place by the Spanish king. Centralized, authoritarian, allowed little participation by indigenous

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3
Q

Revolution of 1910-1911

A

An important source of legitimacy; describes Mexican independence from Spain

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4
Q

What was the Revolution legitimized by?

A

The formation of the PRI in 1929, which was intended to stabilize political power in the hands of its leaders.

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5
Q

What is a Mexican historical tradition wrt concentration of power?

A

Authoritarianism–both from colonial and military power; currently the pres still holds a great deal of political power.

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6
Q

How has populism affected Mexico, historically?

A

Revolutions have had mostly peasant bases led by charismatic figures; the modern Zapatista movement reflects this

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7
Q

How has power been divided in Mexico, historically?

A

Power plays/divisions within the elite

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8
Q

What is a major part of Mexico’s political history?

A

Instability and legitimacy issues; violence in politics.

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9
Q

How is religion important to Mexican political culture?

A

A large percentage of Mexicans are devout Catholics, and their beliefs strongly influence political values and actions.

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10
Q

Camarillas

A

Patron-client networks; extends from the political elites to vote-mobilizing organizations throughout the country. Corruption is one by-product of patron-clientelism.

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11
Q

How has the economy defined Mexican political culture?

A

~ has been a very economically dependent country, whether on Spain or the United States.

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12
Q

How has geography influenced Mexican politics/government?

A

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.

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13
Q

How has the population (size and location) demographics of Mexico affected its politics?

A

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.

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14
Q

What effects has colonialism had on Mexico?

A

Cultural heterogeneity (Status differences were clearly drawn by Spain, tho most are now Mestizo), Catholicism (Missionaries settled), Economic dependency (had to serve mother colony)

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15
Q

Who led the Rebellion of 1810?

A

Father Miguel Hidalgo

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16
Q

What were important influences under Independence/New Country?

A

Instability/Legitimacy issues; rise of the military; domination by the US (territorial loss); Liberal v Conservative struggle

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17
Q

Benito Juarez

A

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

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18
Q

What promise did Porfirio Diaz break to Mexico?

A

To limit himself to only one term

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19
Q

What group of people did Diaz bring w him?

A

Cientificos–a group of young advisors who believed in bringing scientific/economic progress to Mexico

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20
Q

What are influences of Porfirio’s regime?

A

Stability, authoritarianism (concentrated in elite), foreign investment/economic growth, growing wealth gap

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21
Q

How did the 1910 Revolution begin?

A

With a coup from the elite to remove Diaz from office; resulted in a period of warlordism and popular uprisings that lasted until 1934.

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22
Q

Who were two famous leaders of peasant armies during the era of warlordism btw 1910-1934?

A

Emiliano Zapata and Pancho Villa, who rebelled against the patron-client system.

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23
Q

What did the Constitution of 1917 do?

A

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.

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24
Q

The Cristero Rebellion

A

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.

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25
Q

Which president established the PRI?

A

Calles–he wanted to bring all caudillos under one big political party.

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26
Q

How was the PRI intended to work?

A

People would ‘pass around’ power, caudillos becoming President for periods of 6 yrs.

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27
Q

Why was the PRI first established?

A

To stabilize infighting between Mexican leaders.

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28
Q

President Lazaro Cardenas

A

Stabilized and radicalized Mexican politics and gave voice to peasant demands during the Great Depression.

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29
Q

Ejidos

A

Collective land grants to be worked by peasants, created and redistributed by Cardenas.

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30
Q

PEMEX

A

A giant, govt controlled oil company, created under Cardenas’ plan to nationalize industry.

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31
Q

What did Cardenas do that would modernize Mexico?

A

Invested in public works.

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32
Q

How did Cardenas promote linking institutions?

A

He encouraged peasant and union organizations.

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33
Q

Where was power concentrated under Cardenas?

A

The presidency

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34
Q

What strategy of state-led development did Cardenas utilize?

A

Import substitution industrialization – employs high tariffs, govt control, and subsidies to domestic industries.

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35
Q

State Corporatism

A

The president determines who represents different groups to the govt–occurred under Cardenas.

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36
Q

Pendulum Theory

A

Set into place when Aleman was elected after Cardenas–idea that govt swings back and forth btw liberalism and conservativism

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37
Q

Describe Mexican politics in the 1970s

A

Tecnicos–educated, business-oriented leaders–took control of the govt and PRI with a moderate, free-market approach to politics.

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38
Q

Neoliberalism

A

Calls for free markets, balanced budget, privatization, free trade and limited govt intervention. Utilized by Mexico in the 1980s.

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39
Q

What is a major division within the PRI?

A

That btw politicos (old-style caciques) and tecnicos

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40
Q

Crosscutting

A

A type of cleavage–different issues emerge as the issues change, intersect; the usual for Mexico

41
Q

Describe one cleavage regarding population sizing

A

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

42
Q

Describe social class in Mexico

A

economic inequality is high, but the middle class is growing due to the informal economy/industry

43
Q

Describe ethnic cleavages in Mexico

A

Mestizo v Amerindian–main ethnic cleavage; tends to define social class, w mestizos making more $$ than Amerindian

44
Q

Describe a geographic cleavage of Mexico

A

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.

45
Q

What has characterized Mexican political participation?

A

Revolution, despite the historically authoritarian rule

46
Q

Describe Mexican patron-clientlism

A

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.

47
Q

How does the patron-client system affect Mexico today?

A

Still very important despite modernization; many are distrustful of the gov’t.

48
Q

How has the gov’t responded to protest?

A

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.

49
Q

Zapitista (EZLN) uprising

A

Sponsored by the state of Chiapas; protest by Amerindians against mestizo control

50
Q

New Generation

A

Formed from the remnants of defeated gangs, suggesting they will not go away just because leaders are captured.

51
Q

What was the voting rate like in Mexico under PRI control?

A

Very high, as the patron-client system required political support.

52
Q

Have competing parties existed in Mexico, historically?

A

Yes, since the 1930s.

53
Q

What region does the PRI typically succeed in?

A

The north/northeast and the Yucatan

54
Q

What region does the PRD succeed?

A

Southern Mexico

55
Q

What region does the PAN succeed?

A

Northern Mexico

56
Q

How does poverty affect voting behavior?

A

PRI has strong support from rural, impoverished peoples due to patron-clientelism. Recently, the PRD and PAN have expanded popularity.

57
Q

How does Mexico interact w state corporatism?

A

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”).

58
Q

How did the PRI ultimately “fall”?

A

Businessmen were discontented and created the PAN.

59
Q

How have NGOs interacted w the govt?

A

Increased significantly in recent years in response to gang violence and corruption.

60
Q

What regime structure has Mexico typically had?

A

State corporatist–central, authoritarian rule that allows input from interest groups outside of government.

61
Q

Describe Mexico’s economy

A

“Developing”; moving up in various indices.

62
Q

Describe Mexico’s current rule

A

“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.

63
Q

What are the three largest parties in Mexico right now?

A

PRI, PAN, PRD

64
Q

Describe the PRI

A

Corporatist–interest groups are brought under party umbrella and govt input is allowed from selected party groups–and patron-client, especially in rural areas

65
Q

To whom did the PRI lose the presidency, and to whom?

A

Vicente Fox in 2000

66
Q

What is the PAN’s platform comprised of?

A

RIGHT WING: Support for state’s rights, a free market economy, clean/fair elections, Catholicism, and private/religious education

67
Q

What are some problems the PRD has encountered?

A

Defining left-of-center alternatives to market-oriented policies established by the PRI; divided by issues; poor organization

68
Q

Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador

A

PRD’s standard-bearer; popular mayor of Mexico City.

69
Q

Describe PRI voters

A

Small town/rural, less educated, older, poorer

70
Q

Describe PAN voters

A

Northerners, middle-class prof/business, better educated, religious

71
Q

Describe PRD voters

A

younger, politically active, central states, some education, small town/urban, strongest in Mexico City.

72
Q

Where are elections most competitive?

A

Urban areas

73
Q

Describe election of 2006

A

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.

74
Q

How is the President selected?

A

First past the post

75
Q

How are members of Congress elected?

A

Dual system of first past the post and proportional representation.

76
Q

How are senators selected?

A

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.

77
Q

How are members of the lower house selected?

A

300 seats determined by plurality and 200 determined by proportional representation

78
Q

Educational Workers Union

A

Latin America’s largest trade union; neo-corporatist

79
Q

Ejido

A

Land granted to peasants by the Mexican govt; encouraged peasant organizations

80
Q

How did the media function under the PRI?

A

PRI monopolized govt and politics; the media had little power to criticize govt or influence public opinion; journalists’ salaries were based on compliance

81
Q

Yo Soy 132

A

Movement that formed accusing Nieto of corruption, tyranny and authoriarianism

82
Q

Describe the fed govt’s relationship w local/state govts

A

Technically a federal republic, though state/local govts have little power

83
Q

Describe checks and balances in Mexico

A

Executive branch has had virtually all the power; exists mostly theoretically

84
Q

Describe the Constitution of 1917

A

Very long, easily amended, describes strong presidential system

85
Q

Where is the bureaucracy concentrated?

A

Mexico City

86
Q

Describe the job of the bureaucrat

A

Paid very little and tied to the patron-client system under PRI

87
Q

Para-satal

A

Huge under PRI; composed of semi-autonomous or autonomous govt agencies. Best known is PEMEX.

88
Q

Describe the Mexican legislature

A

Bicameral

89
Q

What is the Mexican lower house called?

A

500-person Chamber of Deputies

90
Q

What is the Mexican upper house called?

A

128-member Senate

91
Q

Describe PRI control of the legislature

A

Control slipped much earlier than did that on the Presidency

92
Q

How do women participate in the govt?

A

Parties must run at least 30% women for both lists for the proportional election and the single-member election

93
Q

Does Mexico have judicial review?

A

No; no independent judiciary

94
Q

How much legitimacy does the Constitution of 1917 give Mexico?

A

Very little

95
Q

Describe Mexico’s court system

A

Supreme Court presides over federal and state courts

96
Q

Who has controlled the judicial branch, historically?

A

The president

97
Q

How long are Supreme Court judges appointed?

A

Technically for life, though most presidents reassign judges at the beginning of each sexeno

98
Q

Which president tried to encourage rule of law?

A

Ernest Zedillo (1994-2000)

99
Q

How does most of Mexico perceive judges?

A

They believe they are corrupt.

AP COMPARATIVE GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS (4 decks)

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