Mexico Vocab

dependency

a situation where one country relies heavily on another country for economic resources, trade, investment, or aid.

fragile states index

ranks countries based on indicators such as security threats, economic decline, human rights violations, and social unrest. It identifies states facing significant challenges in governance and stability.

global south

includes the developing and less affluent countries, often located in the Southern Hemisphere.

globalization

refers to the increasing interconnectedness and interdependence of countries through the exchange of goods, services, information, and ideas on a global scale.

human development index

a composite statistic used to rank countries based on their level of human development, taking into account life expectancy, education, and per capita income.

microcredit

a system in which small loans are channeled to the poor through borrowing groups whose members jointly take responsibility for repayment

multinational corporation

large companies that operate in multiple countries, conducting business activities across national borders.

newly industrialized country

a country whose level of economic development ranks it somewhere between developing and highly developed classifications. These countries have moved away from an agriculture-based economy and into a more industrialized, urban economy.

nongovernmental organization

private, non-profit organization that operates independently from governments to address social, environmental, or humanitarian issues. 

organization of petroleum exporting countries

an intergovernmental organization founded in 1960 to coordinate and unify petroleum policies among member countries to secure fair and stable prices for petroleum producers.

structural adjustment

a set of economic policies imposed by international financial institutions, such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), on developing countries in exchange for financial assistance.

subsistence economy

an economic system where people primarily produce goods and services for their own consumption, with little to no surplus for trade or market exchange, focusing on self-sufficiency and basic needs

camarilla

informal, powerful political cliques or networks of individuals who wield influence behind the scenes, often through a patron-client system. 

institutional revolutionary party

a political party in Mexico that dominated the country's politics for most of the 20th century. It was known for its authoritarian rule and ability to maintain power through a combination of co-optation, clientelism, and repression.

maquiladora

factories located in Mexico near the US border where raw materials are imported duty-free, assembled or processed, and then exported back to the originating country.

mestizo

a person of mixed Spanish and Indigenous American ancestry. 

national action party

a conservative political party in Mexico that emerged as a major opposition force to the long-ruling PRI. It advocates for free-market policies and social conservatism.

north American free trade agreement

a trade agreement between the United States, Canada, and Mexico that eliminates most tariffs and trade barriers among the three countries. It aims to promote economic integration and increase trade.

party of the democratic revolution

another significant political party in Mexico that leans towards left-wing ideologies and advocates for social justice and equality.

petroleos mexicanos

the state-owned oil company in Mexico responsible for the exploration, production, refining, distribution, and sale of petroleum products. It plays a crucial role in Mexico's economy as one of the largest contributors to government revenue.

sexeno

The six-year administration of Mexican presidents