POSC 158: Politics of Mexico

Olmecs

Earliest major Mesoamerican civilization (Gulf Coast); developed urban life, religion, and influenced later cultures.

Zapotecs / Monte Albán

Civilization in Oaxaca; Monte Albán was their capital; known for writing, astronomy, and early state formation.

Maya (city-states)

Independent city-states (not one empire) with advanced math, writing, and agriculture.

Mexica / Aztecs

Powerful empire in central Mexico; built Tenochtitlán and dominated through tribute.

Lake Texcoco

Lake where Tenochtitlán (Aztec capital) was built.

Xochimilco

Area of chinampas (floating gardens) used for intensive agriculture.

Hernán Cortés

Led Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire.

Tlaxcalans

Indigenous allies of the Spanish against the Aztecs.

Moctezuma II

Aztec ruler during Spanish arrival.

La Noche Triste

Night (1520) when Spaniards fled Tenochtitlán after Aztec resistance.

Viceroyalty of New Spain

Spanish colonial government ruling Mexico.

Audiencias

High courts that also had administrative power.

Viceroys

King's representatives governing the colony.

Encomienda

Labor system forcing Indigenous people to work for Spanish elites.

Syncretism

Blending of Indigenous and Catholic beliefs.

Pigmentocracy

Social hierarchy based on skin color (closer to European = higher status).

Mercantilism

Colonial economic system focused on exporting resources to benefit Spain.

Bourbon Reforms

Spanish reforms to centralize power and increase revenue in colonies.

Miguel Hidalgo

Priest who started independence movement (1810).

José María Morelos

Continued Hidalgo's movement; pushed for social equality.

Vicente Guerrero

Key leader who helped achieve independence.

Plan de Iguala

Agreement (1821): independence, Catholicism, and unity.

Agustín de Iturbide

Military leader who became Mexico's first emperor.

Liberals vs. Conservatives

Liberals: secularism, less Church power; Conservatives: strong Church & tradition.

Caudillo

Strong personalist leader relying on charisma and military power.

Antonio López de Santa Anna

Example of a caudillo; ruled multiple times.

Mexican-American War

War (1846-48); Mexico lost large territory to U.S.

Gadsden Purchase

Land sale to U.S. (1853).

Constitution of 1857

Liberal constitution limiting Church and military power.

Ley Juárez / Lerdo / Iglesias

Liberal reforms reducing Church and elite privileges.

Maximilian I

European ruler imposed by France.

Porfirio Díaz

Long-term ruler (Porfiriato); economic growth + inequality.

Científicos

Díaz's advisors promoting science and modernization.

Positivism

Belief that science and progress solve social problems.

Order and Progress

Motto of Díaz's regime prioritizing stability over democracy.

Rurales

Rural police force maintaining order under Díaz.

Ley de Fuga

Law allowing execution of fleeing prisoners.

Pan o Palo

"Bread or the stick" (reward loyalty, punish opposition).

Francisco I. Madero

Started revolution against Díaz.

Emiliano Zapata

Fought for land reform ("land and liberty").

Pancho Villa

Northern revolutionary leader.

Victoriano Huerta

Overthrew Madero; authoritarian ruler.

Venustiano Carranza

Led constitutionalist faction.

Álvaro Obregón

Helped stabilize post-revolution government.

Plutarco Elías Calles

Founded ruling party (PNR).

Mass Mobilization + State Paralysis

Many groups fighting → weak central authority.

Five Phases of the Revolution

Elite revolt → popular uprising → civil war → consolidation → institution-building.

Constitution of 1917

Progressive constitution (land reform, labor rights).

Jefe Máximo

Calles' role as power behind the presidency.

Cristero Rebellion

Conflict over Church-state tensions.

PNR → PRM → PRI

Evolution of ruling party.

Corporatism

State organizes groups (labor, peasants) into system.

CTM / CNC / CNOP

Labor, peasant, and popular sectors of PRI.

Clientelism

Exchange of goods/services for political support.

Camarillas

Political cliques or networks.

Cooptation

Absorbing opposition into the system.

Coercion

Use of force to maintain control.

Dedazo

President chooses successor.

Presidencialismo

Extremely strong executive power.

Electoral Fraud

Manipulation of elections (PRI era).

Tlatelolco 1968

Government massacre of student protesters.

1982 Debt Crisis

Economic collapse from borrowing.

1985 Earthquake

Exposed government weakness.

1988 Election Fraud

PRI accused of stealing election.

Washington Consensus

Neoliberal economic reforms.

NAFTA

Free trade agreement with U.S. and Canada.

IFE / TRIFE

Electoral institutions ensuring fair elections.

2000 Election

Vicente Fox wins → ends PRI dominance.

2006 Election

Extremely close; fraud claims.

2012 Election

PRI returns with Enrique Peña Nieto.

2018 Election

Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) wins.

2024 Election

MORENA continues dominance.

4th Transformation

AMLO's vision of major national change.

National Guard

New security force under AMLO.

Social Programs

Welfare expansion (scholarships, pensions).

Anti-corruption reforms

Efforts to reduce corruption.

Powers of the President

Proposes laws, executes policy, appoints officials, controls foreign policy, commander of armed forces, historically very strong (presidencialismo).

SEDENA

Ministry of National Defense (army).

SEMAR

Navy/Maritime defense ministry.

Cámara de Diputados

Lower house (500 members); approves budget; mix of SMD + PR seats.

Senado

Upper house (128 members); handles foreign policy and appointments.

How a Bill Becomes Law

Proposal → committee → debate → approval in both chambers → president signs or vetoes → becomes law.

Municipal Governments

Local governments (2,500+); provide services like water, police, infrastructure.

80-16-4 Tax Split

Revenue distribution: 80% federal, 16% state, 4% municipal → shows strong centralization.

PRI (Institutional Revolutionary Party)

Former dominant party; centrist, pragmatic.

PAN (National Action Party)

Conservative, pro-market, religious values.

PRD (Party of the Democratic Revolution)

Leftist; now weakened.

MORENA

Leftist ruling party under AMLO; supports social programs and state role.

PVEM

Green party; flexible ideology.

PT (Labor Party)

Left-wing, pro-worker policies.

Movimiento Ciudadano

Centrist, urban-focused.

Nueva Alianza

Linked to teachers' union; limited influence.

Gender Parity

Law requiring equal representation of men and women in politics.

INE (Instituto Nacional Electoral)

Runs elections, enforces rules, prevents fraud.

SMD (Single-Member Districts)

One representative per district (winner-take-all).

PR (Proportional Representation)

Seats allocated based on party vote share.

Personalismo

Preference for strong, charismatic leaders.

Institutional Trust

Generally low trust in government due to corruption history.

Regional Differences

North: market-oriented, less trust; South: poorer, more state support; Urban: more liberal; Rural: more traditional.

Labor Unions

Historically tied to the state (PRI); now weaker but still important.