Basic Vocab for Mexico

Comp Gov Unit 1

Cacique

the local PRI boss in a region. Through this person, direct benefits were distributed from the PRI government to the camarillas

Camarillas

the patron-client system created by the PRI to stay in power. These people were part of the large network of people under PRI influence.

Ejidos

land that is owned by the state but worked on by peasants

Federal Electoral Institute (IFE)

established after the 1988 election was thought to be rigged, and Mexico was facing external pressure to improve their elections. This institute oversees elections and counts and makes it more difficult for any party to engage in election fraud. This gave the PRI opposition more legitimacy

Haciendas

large estates within Mexico

Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI)

dominated the Mexican government for most of the 20th century (had the seat of president for 70 years until 2000). Used illegal measures to stay in power, such as voter fraud. PRI is technically centrist, but they would swing from left to right depending on the leader.

Maquiladoras

factories on the Mexico side of the border with the US that employ many Mexicans

Mestizos

the mixed race population in Mexico. Race is seen as a cleavage within the country

Multiparty system

more than two parties have had control over the government. In Mexico, these parties are the PRI, PAN, and PRD

National Action Party (PAN)

rooted in student religious organizations. It is traditionally right wing and popular in the north among Catholics. They want free trade and lower taxes. This party ended the 70 years of PRI dominance.

North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)

agreement between the US, Mexico, and Canada to remove tariffs and other inhibitors of free trade between the countries.This took effect in 1994. This has created many more jobs in Mexico but also many of these new jobs pay very little

One-party dominant system

the idea that many parties are allowed to run in an election but only one party usually wins seats. This was seen for many years in Mexico when the PRI had total control over the government, although it seemed like it was a multiparty system.

Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD)

this is Mexico’s left leaning party, popular mainly in central and south Mexico. They have never won the presidential seat but have gotten close. They want to help the poor and better develop the southern region

Patron-client politics

the PRI used these politics to stay in power. They organized “unions” of lower class people with the sole intent of getting them to vote PRI. News organizations, too, were under PRI influence

Principle of non-reelection

the idea that Mexican political leaders (including president and legislative members) cannot serve more than one term in office. This was developed in the Constitution of 1917 as a result of the revolution.

Sexenio

the idea that Mexican presidents can only serve for one six year term. Created as a result of the revolution