Mexico

Dependency Theory

A theory suggesting that developing nations remain economically dependent on wealthier countries due to the structure of global trade, limiting their growth and development.

Fragile States Index

A tool that ranks countries based on their vulnerability to conflict and instability, assessing factors like political, social, and economic pressures.

Global South

A term used to describe developing countries, primarily located in Latin America, Africa, and Asia, that face economic and political challenges.

Globalization

The increasing interconnectedness of economies, cultures, and politics worldwide, driven by trade, technology, and communication.

Human Development Index (HDI)

A composite measure of a country’s development, considering life expectancy, education, and per capita income.

Microcredit

Small loans provided to individuals, often in developing countries, to encourage entrepreneurship and alleviate poverty.

Multinational Corporation (MNC)

A large company that operates and invests in multiple countries, often influencing local economies and politics.

Newly Industrialized Country (NIC)

A nation that has transitioned from an agricultural-based economy to a more industrialized, export-driven economy.

Nongovernmental Organization (NGO)

A non-profit organization that operates independently of the government to address social, environmental, or political issues.

Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)

An intergovernmental organization that coordinates oil production policies among major oil-exporting countries to regulate global prices.

Structural Adjustment Programs (SAPs)

Economic policies promoted by international financial institutions to reform and stabilize developing economies, often requiring austerity and privatization.

Subsistence Economy

An economic system in which people produce enough goods and services to meet their own needs, with little to no surplus for trade or exchange.

Camarilla

A small group of influential individuals or advisors who hold power within a larger organization or government.

Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI)

A political party in Mexico that held uninterrupted power for much of the 20th century, known for its centralized, corporatist governance.

Maquiladora

A factory in Mexico that assembles imported materials into finished goods for export, often benefiting from trade agreements.

Mestizo

A person of mixed European and Indigenous ancestry, commonly used to describe a dominant cultural group in Latin America.

National Action Party (PAN)

A political party in Mexico supporting conservative and pro-business policies, traditionally opposed to the PRI.

North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)

A trade agreement aimed at eliminating trade barriers between Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD)

A left-wing political party in Mexico advocating for social democracy and progressive policies.

Petróleos Mexicanos (PEMEX)

Mexico's state-owned petroleum company responsible for the extraction and distribution of petroleum and natural gas.

Sexenio

A six-year term of office in Mexico, particularly referring to the presidency, with no possibility of re-election.