Chapter 13 Notes on Politics in Mexico

Comparative Politics Today: A World View - Chapter 13 Notes on Politics in Mexico

Country Overview

  • Population (2010): 119.5 million
  • Territory: 761,602 square miles
  • Year of Independence: 1810
  • Current Constitution Year: 1917
  • Head of State & Government: President Enrique Peña Nieto
  • Languages: Spanish, various indigenous languages (Mayan, Nahuatl, etc.)
  • Religious Demographics: 85% Roman Catholic, 10% other religious non-Catholic, 5% nonreligious

Current Policy Challenges

  • Economic Issues:
    • Limited job creation
    • Aging population
    • Shrinking labor force
  • Education System: Need for improvement
  • Energy Sector Renovation: Oil, electricity, and natural gas sectors need overhaul
  • Drug Trafficking: Major ongoing issue
  • International Relations: Significant connections with the US and China

Historical Context

  • Colonialism and Church-State Conflict:
    • Tension between Church and State throughout colonial history.
  • Revolution (1910):
    • Sparked by the disintegration of Diaz's dictatorship.
    • Resulted in the Constitution of 1917, which:
    • Ensured state control over natural resources.
    • Established the government’s right to redistribute land.
    • Promoted labor rights.
  • Era of Hegemonic Party Rule (PRI):
    • Dominance of PRI (Partido Revolucionario Institucional) since 1929.
    • Implemented land reforms and nationalized oil from foreign corporations.
    • Concerns arose in the 1970s about political repression (e.g., “dirty war”).
    • Economic crises in the 1980s led to challenges for PRI.

The End of PRI Dominance

  • Shift in Political Dynamics:
    • Economic troubles in 1994; loss of presidential power in the 2000 election marked decline.
    • The PRI diminished in national influence, focusing on regional strongholds.

Political Culture

  • Public Sentiments:
    • Mexicans have a strong commitment to the principles of democracy.
    • Increasing distrust in government institutions and performance.
    • Growing pessimism about affecting electoral outcomes.

Political Participation

  • Types of Participation:
    • Ritualistic/Symbolic: Includes voting, attending rallies.
    • Active Engagement: Petitioning and contacting officials.
    • Voting Compulsory: Legal obligation to vote; varies in turnout based on election closeness.

Political Structure and Institutions

  • Hybrid Regime Model:
    • Partially free and partially authoritarian.
    • Democratic advancements since 2000, but strong presidential control persists.
  • Federalism:
    • Consists of 31 states and a Federal District, each with weakened local authority relative to federal.

Legislative Branch

  • Structure:
    • Comprised of a 128-member Senate and a 500-member Chamber of Deputies.
    • Mixed-member electoral system complicates majority formation.
  • Powers and Functions:
    • The President can utilize two types of vetoes: regular and corrective.
    • Each legislative chamber has specific areas of authority.

Executive Branch

  • Presidential Dominance:
    • Historically the most influential entity.
    • Holds various powers not explicitly listed in the constitution.

Interest Representation and Political Parties

  • Corporate Structure:
    • The PRI aligned with labor, peasant, and popular sectors for support.
  • Major Political Parties:
    • PRI: Long-standing dominance until early 2000s.
    • PAN (Partido Accion Nacional): Center-right, emerged post-1939.
    • PRD (Partido de la Revolución Democrática): Leftist alternative with rising influence in recent elections.

Current Government Performance

  • Economic Growth and Human Rights:
    • Focused on neoliberal policies and correcting rights abuses but struggled with the rule of law.
    • Major issues include street crime and police accountability requiring structural reforms.
  • Environmental and International Challenges:
    • Domestic environmental policies and international relations remain significant areas for development and focus.