• Mexico has struggled to control the escalating violence and power of drug cartels.

Culiacán Incident (October 2019)

  • Police attempted to arrest Ovidio Guzmán, son of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán.

  • Cartel members engaged in a violent standoff with police, showcasing the cartel's power.

Why Study Mexico's Case?

  • Political Order: The necessity to establish and maintain political stability.

  • Economic Development: Finding effective methods for fair economic growth and addressing inequality.

  • Political Transparency: Establishing rule of law while combating corruption.

Historical Analysis of Mexico's Political Climate

  • Porfirio Díaz’s regime marked the first wave of economic development, leading to the Mexican Revolution (1910-1917) amidst chaos and violence.

  • Post-1917, Mexico saw relative political stability with elections and a subordinate military, despite challenges from drug cartels and political corruption.

Transition from PRI Rule

  • PRI dominated Mexican politics for decades but faced defeats beginning in 2000, leading to governance changes.

Major Political Events

  • 1910–17: Mexican Revolution leads to lasting changes in political structures.

  • 2018 Elections: Rise of leftist president Andrés Manuel López Obrador, showcasing shifts in political ideology.

Mexico’s Geography and Demographics

  • Geography: Diverse terrain, with urbanization significantly impacting societal structure.

  • Demographics: Second-largest population in Latin America, characterized by a mix of ethnic backgrounds.

Structure of the State

  • Mexico’s political system includes a mix of federalism and unitary governance.

  • The National Supreme Court and Congress serve as primary governmental bodies, but legislative experience is historically limited due to restrictions on consecutive terms.

Economic Landscape

  • Transition from import substitution industrialization towards neoliberal policies, with varying impacts on industry and agriculture.

  • NAFTA led to increased trade but also exacerbated socio-economic disparities.

Ongoing Issues

Drug War and Violence

  • Escalated drug war under both Calderón and Peña Nieto administrations led to high violence rates and public scrutiny of government effectiveness.

Corruption

  • Endemic corruption in police and government forces undermines the state's legitimacy and capacity to govern.

Migration Issues

  • Significant emigration from Mexico to the United States due to economic instability and violence, complicated by U.S. immigration policy.