AP Comp Mexico Case Study

Chapter 3

Patron-clientism

A system where a powerful person provides jobs, money, or favors to supporters in exchange for political loyalty and votes.

Democratization

The process of a country becoming more democratic, usually through free and fair elections, expanded political participation, and stronger political rights

Federalism

A system where power is divided between the national government and state/regional governments

PRI- Institutional Revolutionary Party

Mexico’s historically dominant political party. PRI controlled Mexico’s government from 1929-2000 and returned to presidency from 2012-2018

IFE- Federal Electoral Institute

Mexico’s former independent institution responsible for organizing and overseeing elections. Replaced by INE(National Electoral Institute) in 2014

MORENA

A major political party founded by Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. It is generally considered left-wing/populist and emphasizes social programs, nationalism, and reducing inequality

Vincente Fox

A member of PAN who became president in 2000. His election was significant because he defeated the PRI and ended its decades-long control of presidency

Election of 2000

Vincente Fox (PAN) defeated the PRI candidate. Represents a step towards democratization because the PRI peacefully lost the presidency for the first time in decades

Free Elections

Elections in which citizens can choose among competing candidates/parties without intimidation or manipulation, and votes are counted fairly

Cartels

Organized criminal groups, especially drug trafficking organizations, challenge government authority through violence, corruption, and control of territory

Threats to Legitimacy

Cartels

Threats to Democracy

Oil may dry up soon, dependence on the economic health of the U.S, Growing gap between rich and poor, Large international debt

Oil dry up

Declining oil production can reduce government revenue and create economic difficulties

Dependence on economic health of the U.S

Mexico’s economy is connected to the U.S through trade, investment, remittances, and the USMCA

Growing gap between rich and poor

Economic inequality in which wealth and resources are distributed unevenly among Mexico’s population

Large international debt

High debt can limit the government’s ability to spend money on domestic programs

Corporatism

A system where the government organized society into major groups- labor unions, businesses, and agricultural organizations- and work with or control those groups politically

Pluralism

The idea that many different groups and interests compete for political influence rather than one group controlling everything

Peak Associations

Large organizations that represent the interests of an entire sector of society, such as business organizations or labor organizations, and attempt to influence government policy

Political Culture

The population’s shared beliefs, values, and attitudes about politics and government

Civil Liberties

Basic freedoms that protect individuals from government interference, such as freedom of speech, religion, and assembly (freedom FROM government)

Civil Rights

Rights that equal treatment and protection under the law, regardless of race, gender, or social status(equal treatment BY government)

Social Cleavage

A division between groups of people based on their social characteristics or circumstances

Political Cleavage

A division between groups based on their political beliefs, opinions, or party preferences

Economic Liberalism

An economic philosophy supporting free markets, private property, competition, and limited government intervention in the economy

Globalization

The increasing economic, political, cultural, and social connections between countries

Protectionism

Government policies designed to protect domestic businesses from foreign competition, usually through tariffs, quotas, or restrictions on imports

Nationalization of Industry

When the government takes ownership or control of privately owned industries

ISI- Import Substitution Industrialization

An economic strategy where country tries to produce goods domestically instead of importing them

Privatization

The process of selling government-owned businesses or industries to private companies/individuals

Civil Society

Organizations and groups that exist outside of the government and private family life, such as nonprofits, advocacy groups, churches, unions, and community organizations

Mandate

The authority a politician believes they receive from voters to carry out the policies they campaigned on, especially after winning an election

Executive Branch

The branch of government responsible for enforcing laws and running the government

Head of State and Head of Government

President holds both positions

Head of state

represents the country

Head of government

runs the government and executive branch

Sexenio

A six-year presidential term in Mexico (presidents cannot serve consecutive terms)

Cabinet

A group of officials appointed by the president who advise the president and oversee different government departments

Legislature

The branch of government responsible for making laws, Mexico has bicameral legislature, meaning it has two chambers

Chamber of Deputies

The lower chamber of Mexico’s legislature, 500 members (300 elected through single-member districts, 200 through proportional representation)

Senate

The upper chamber of Mexico’s legislature, it represents Mexico’s states and has 128 members

Judiciary

The branch of government responsible for interpreting laws and resolving legal disputes, Justicies nominated by the president and approved by the Senate, serve 15 year terms

Mixed Electoral System

A system that combines single-member districts elections with proportional representation

SMD- Single- Member District

An electoral district where one representative is elected, most vote= wins and takes the seat

PR- Proportional Representation

A system in which parties receive seats in the legislature based on the percentage of vote they receive

PAN- National Action Party

Center- right, supports economic liberalism and private enterprise, associated with conservative/socially conservative positions, Vincente Fox was a PAN president