AP Comparative Government & Politics - Mexico

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to Mexican government and politics.

Mexico

A federal republic borne out of two major revolutions; transition away from one-party authoritarianism to democracy began in the 1980s and 1990s.

Mestizo

A mix of indigenous and Spanish heritage, making up the largest percentage of the Mexican population.

Amerindian

Concentrated in the southern, rural region of Mexico, making up 30% of the population

Constitution of 1917

The source of rational-legal legitimacy in Mexico, emphasizing national land rights and anticlerical provisions.

Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI)

Established in 1929 and controlled every aspect of the political process for most of the twentieth century. Transitioned away from one-party authoritarianism to democracy in the 1980s and 1990s.

Democradura

A term to describe the PRI's authoritarian rule with the trappings of democracy.

Election of 2000

The event in 2000 where the PRI candidate lost the presidency to PAN candidate Vicente Fox, marking a turning point in Mexican political history.

Maquiladoras

Factories built in northern Mexico to take advantage of free trade; however, they have also widened the gap between rich and poor.

PEMEX

A state-owned oil company in Mexico that is notoriously inefficient, although foreign direct investment has recently been allowed to improve the sector.

Patron-Clientelism

A favor-trading system of quid pro quo that benefited top elites and led to longstanding official corruption and authoritarianism.

Hernan Cortes

The first Spanish conquistador in Mexico who arrived in 1519, capturing the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan and imposing direct rule

Creoles

People born in New Spain of Spanish Parents.

Mestizos (Colonial times)

People born of Spanish and Native American Indian parents

Camarillas

Armed bands led by strongmen generals, which competed for territorial control after Mexican independence, leading to unstable politics.

Caudillos

Strongmen generals that led armed bands that competed for territorial control after Mexican independence

The Porfiriato

A period from 1876-1911 under President Porfirio Diaz characterized by stability and economic growth, but also inequality.

Haciendas

Large commercial tracts of land previously controlled by private landowners, that were converted into agricultural collectives.

Ejidos

Agricultural collectives in which the peasants had rights to keep the proceeds of selling the crops.

Import Substitution Industrialization (ISI)

A policy of placing high tariffs and import quotas on foreign products to strongly incentivize Mexicans to buy from domestic companies.

State Corporatism

Inviting groups that represented the interests of peasants, labor, industry, the middle class, the military, and others to meet with the president and policymakers to share their input.

Politicos

The PRI's early generation of leaders

Technicos

The new generation of educated, technical experts that gained power within the PRI.

The Pendulum Theory

A neoliberal model of economic reform through private entrepreneurship, a limited role for the government, privatization of nationalized industries, and free trade.

Structural Adjustment Program

Loans that the IMF used to help Mexico avoid default, but in exchange, demanded the imposition of a structural adjustment program.

Federal Election Institute (IFE)/National Electoral Institute (INE)

An independent election regulating body in Mexico meant to ensure fair elections.

Zapatistas

Southern indigenous rebels that started an armed uprising against the Mexican government in the state of Chiapas.

Maquiladoras (Urban v. Rural)

Factories located in the north of Mexico that take advantage of low-wage Mexican labor, exporting tariff-free to the American market.

EZLN Zapatista Movement

The armed resistance group that has periodically established autonomous municipalities in the south.

Confederation of Mexican Workers (CTM)

The workers’ union pillar of PRI corporatism

Yo Soy #132

A protest movement where millions of Mexicans joined in street protests against Peña Nieto and media bias.

The Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) (Political Parties)

Was created in the aftermath of the Mexican Revolution by competing caudillos who sought to unite their rule and share power.

The National Action Party (PAN)

Was formed by business leaders frustrated with PRI repression and corporatism

The Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD)

Has acted as the PRI’s opposition to the left since it broke away from the PRI as a splinter movement after the fraudulent 1988 election.

MORENA

Is an acronym for Movimiento Regeneración Nacional, or National Regeneration Movement.

Sexenio

The single six-year term limit for the president of Mexico.

Senators

Each of Mexico’s 31 states plus the federal district (Mexico City) elects 3 of these.

Confederation of Mexican Workers (CTM)

The workers’ union pillar of PRI corporatism.