c22: mexico

1917 Constitution

Foundation of Mexican state; post-Revolution; strong presidency

PRI (Perfect Dictatorship)

Ruled 1929-2000; semi-authoritarian, clientelism, stability

AMLO (Morena)

Left-populist president, uses nationalist rhetoric; erodes checks & balances

Gender Quotas → Parity Reform

30%→40%→50% candidates required female; “parity in everything” (2019)

Claudia Sheinbaum

First woman + Jewish president; Morena; feminist branding, PhD energy engineering

V-Dem View

Mexico shows autocratization signs under AMLO

US Guns → Cartels

70% seized cartel guns traced to US stores

Claudia Sheinbaum Rise

Enabled by decades of quota reforms + parity laws creating pipeline

Gender Reform Timeline

1996 rec; 2002 quota 30%; 2008 quota 40%; 2014 parity; 2019 parity everywhere

Why Women Succeeded?

Structural inclusion reforms + normalization of women in power

Sheinbaum vs Gálvez Similarities

STEM background, executive positions, ethnic minority women

Femicide Nation Paradox

Women leaders despite 10 murders/day; <10% cases prosecuted

Aguilar Mexico Authoritarianism (Democratic Backsliding)

Fourth Transformation

AMLO’s populist project to “rebuild Mexico” → justification to weaken institutions

Attacks on Judiciary/INE

Legal reforms to reduce oversight & autonomy

Populism Strategy

People vs elites framing; delegitimizes opposition; centralizes power

Distribution Policies

Welfare + cash transfers used to maintain support and loyalty