Studied by 0 people
What do GNP and GDP measure?
GDP is the market value of everything produced within a country; GNP is the value of what's produced by a country's residents, no matter where they live.
What do most civil societies require?
Associations or groups that are voluntary.
What was the Porfiriato (1876-1911)?
Authoritarian dictatorship, brought stability to Mexico, gap between rich and poor grew, and ended in violent revolution.
What were the policies that Cardenas set up during his tenure?
redistributed land, nationalized industry, government investment in public works, encouraged peasant and union organizations.
What is a patron-client network?
Handing out of economic rewards such as government jobs and contracts in exchange for political support.
Describe the differences of the societal cleavages in Mexico between the north and the south?
Southerners are more likely to be Amerindian with less European ethnicity than northerners.
Looking at the geographic distribution of votes received by the three major parties in Mexico, describe the regions or areas that have politically supported the three parties?
The PAN party receives more support in the northern part of Mexico.
What holds a cacique or camarilla together?
Personal loyalty
Why have political scientists categorized the Mexican political system as "corporatist"?
the government has a long time tendency to network with business and other interest group leaders.
What are the ideological leanings of the PRI, PAN, and PRD?
PRD - more to the left of both the PAN or the PRI; PAN - ideologically to the right of PRI
Which sociological groups would support the PRD?
Mostly urban workers
Who was elected president in 2000 and why is this considered a turning point in Mexico's political history?
Vicente Fox. A person won the Presidency that was not a candidate from the PRI.
Why was the 2006 election historic?
It was settled by the Mexican courts.
What were the basic functions of the opposition parties prior to the election of 2000?
Strengthen government's claim to popular support and legitimate authority, provide a "loyal opposition", act as a political safety valve for the majority party, serve as the personal career vehicle for dissident political leaders.
What is the electoral system of Mexico?
Executive - first past the post; Legislative - first past the post and proportional
What is the status of voting in Mexico?
It is mandated by law
Why did the Constitution limit the presidency to 6 years?
The Constitution limits the president to a sexenio (6 years) to keep rival elites from killing the president.
What type of system of government did the Constitution of 1917 set up?
A democracy with three branches
What are the basic elements of the Mexican Constitution?
Federal system with the executive as the most powerful; separation of church and state; all subsoil rights are the property of the nation thur limiting foreigners' rights to exploit natural resources.
How is federalism described currently in Mexico?
Since the PRI is no longer the dominant party, governors are able to exercise more of their formal powers given to them prior to the PRI's domination.
Which branch of government has the most power?
The Executive
How long is the president in power?
Six years - sexenio
What is the rule of impunity?
A policy that protected former Mexican presidents from criminal investigations.
Who traditionally selected the individual who runs for president?
The current president and his cacique
What is the definition of para-statal? Why has it declined in Mexico in recent years?
Government owned corporation. Emphasis on privatization of industry.
What are the names of the two houses in the legislative branch in Mexico?
Chamber of deputies, Senate
What is one reason the Mexican judiciary not operate as an independent branch of government?
Most judges will resign their posts when the new sexenio begins.
How are the judicial systems similar between Mexico and Russia?
Both have weak judicial systems that lack independence.
Describe the differences in the role of the military in both Mexico and China?
The Mexican military plays a much lesser role in politics than the Chinese military.
What are some of the economic issues that Mexico has a problem with today?
Growing gap between poor and rich, rapid and unplanned urbanization, a large international debt, dependence on the economic health of the U.S.
What are ejidatarios?
Small landowners (peasants given land)
What has been the most contentious issue between Mexico and the U.S.?
immigration policies
What is the goal of NAFTA?
Encourage business expansion across borders and free trade among all North American countries.
What was the purpose of the "bracero" program?
It allowed immigration from Mexico into the United States for workers.
What is the Mexican government's spending on social welfare like?
Relatively low by international standards although most Mexicans do believe that the government is responsible for the economy.
What was the major reason for the decline of the PRI in electoral victories after 1997?
The installation of the federal Electoral Institute
What are the backgrounds of most of the political elites in Mexico?
Middle class, studied abroad in the U.S.
What is a party system?
The multiple political parties that operate in a given country and how these patties relate to each other.
What are the similarities between Mexico and Russia in their structure of government?
Proportional representation in the lower house of the legislature.
What were the differences between the transition to democracy between Mexico and Russia?
Mexico's old institutions, such as the executive was reformed, while in Russia new institutions were created.
What factors contribute to a person's willingness to participate in politics?
Education levels (most closely correlated), upper class, females, older, family strongly participated in politics, a person identifies himself/herself with a political party.
Describe the victories of the PAN prior to the election of 2000?
It won several gubernatorial seats in the northern states of Mexico.
What are some similarities between China and Mexico?
Both China and Mexico have: suppressed student protests, are oil producers, have weak legislative assemblies, have strong Presidents.
Note
Flashcard