Comp Gov Mexico Vocab

Dependency (theory)

poverty in developing countries is caused by the exploitation of developed countries

Fragile/Failed States Index

a number that measures a state’s fragility (loss of sovereignty, legitimate authority, public services)

Global South

developing countries, primarily located in Latin America, Africa, Asia, and Oceania

Globalization

growing interdependence and connectedness of world cultures and economies

Human Development Index (HDI)

composite measure of a country’s average achievements in three basic aspects of human development -- health, knowledge, and standard of living

Microcredit

small loans are given to help people start or grow small businesses

Multinational Corporation (MNC)

enterprises which own or control production or service facilities outside the country

Newly Industrialized Country (NIC)

nation transitioning from a developing status to a more industrialized economy

Nongovernmental Organization (NGO)

 non-profit organization that aids people

Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)

intergovernmental organization that ensures the stability of oil prices

Structural Adjustment (Programs)

economic policy packages imposed on developing nations by the IMF and the World Bank as conditions for receiving loans

Subsistence Economy

relies on natural resources to provide for basic needs

Camarilla

rich and powerful individuals that help someone get elected in exchange for favors

Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI)

oldest political party, centrist, dominated for 70 years

Maquiladora

foreign-owned factory that imports raw materials duty-free to assemble goods for export

Mestizo

a person of combined indigenous and Spanish ancestry

National Action Party (PAN)

conservative, Christian political party

North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)

trilateral trade pact between Mexico, the U.S., and Canada

Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD)

left-wing opposition party; has since lost power

Petróleos Mexicanos (PEMEX)

Mexico’s state-owned, nationalized petroleum company

Sexeno

non-renewable six-year term of the President