Download Mexico Project

MEXICO
Caleb Rivera,
Peyton Alexander,
And Reilly Thompson
Presentation Overview
Sovereignty, Authority, and Power
Political and Economic Change
Political Institutions
Citizens, Society, and the State
Public Policy
Sovereignty, Authority, and Power
Legitimacy:
Mexican citizens consider their government and its power legitimate.
The Revolution of 1910-11 is an important source of legitimacy.
The constitution that was created included a three-branch government but the
Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) stabilized political power.
Sovereignty, Authority, and Power
Legitimacy (cont.):
The Institutional Revolutionary Party was formed in 1929.
PRI was an important source of power/ legitimacy until it was challenged by other
political parties.
PRI lost the presidency and one house of Congress in the election of 2000, so in
2006 the party was a minority in the legislature.
In 2012, the party took control of the presidency once again (first time since 1994)
but it still does not have complete power in the legislature.
Sovereignty, Authority, and Power
Historical Traditions:
Authoritarianism: Mexico has had a history of authoritarian rulers. The current
president has a strong amount of power, but his authority is in question.
Populism: The revolutions of 1810 and 1910 were for the rights of ordinary
people. The peasant based revolutions were gaining rights for a particular group
of Mexicans, Amerindians.
Sovereignty, Authority, and Power
Historical Traditions (cont.):
Most Mexicans are in conclusion that the government is legitimate, but there are
many issues about the government’s authority.
There have been many divisions with the Mexican elites.
Ex. politicos vs. tecnicos
There have also been many conflicts that lead to political disagreements.
Ex. Presidential candidate killed in 1994
The political disagreements lead to questioning of government authority.
Sovereignty, Authority, and Power
Political Culture:
The Catholic Church was active in politics until the 20th century revolutionary
period.
Since then, the political influence has gone down because the government made an
“anti-cleric position.”
Many Mexicans, though, are still avid Catholics and their religious beliefs influence
their political beliefs.
Sovereignty, Authority, and Power
Political Culture (cont.):
Camarillas, which are patron-client networks, extend all throughout Mexico.
Corruption is a result of these patron-client systems, and there are concerns as to if
Mexico can continue to depend on these networks. Even though these systems are
declining, they still play a major role in politics.
Mexico is powerful, but not as powerful in an economic sense. It struggles to gain the
power to become more economically independent.
Sovereignty, Authority, and Power
Geographic Influence:
Regional differences, climates, natural resources, borders, and population affect
the political development of Mexico.
mountains and deserts: difficult communication/transportation
terrain and long distances: many different climates
the resources help the country but not the people
Mexico is always being belittled by the United States
population shifts cause shifts in Mexican politics
Sovereignty, Authority, and Power
Comparisons:
Mexico and Nigeria are both federal republics. Both have the popular vote for
elections. The president is the head of the state and government.
Mexico and Iran both have the popular vote for presidential elections.
Political and Economic Change
Timeline
❖ Cortes set sail from Cuba in February 1519
❖ He landed in November of the same year
❖ Cortes decimated the Aztec empire and essentially paved the way for newer
forms of Mexican Government
❖ For a time in 1810, Napoleon was in control of Spain and ousted the
Monarchy
❖ On September 16th of 1810 Father Manuel Hidalgo proposed his famous idea
for Mexican Independence
Political and Economic Change
Timeline Cont.
❖ After a series of power struggles throughout the 1800’s Porfirio Diaz began
his period of control in Mexico in 1877
❖ Though Diaz helped to build Mexico, in 1910 Francisco Madero began his
opposition movement, calling for free and democratic elections as opposed to
Diaz’s unopposed rule which had become dictator like
❖ In November of 1910 Diaz was forced to step down after Madero’s working
party revolted in the Mexican Revolution
Political and Economic Change
Timeline cont.
❖ Madero was revolted against by Pancho Villa and Madero’s eventual
successor Emiliano Zapata
❖ Zapata reigned until finally a former Diaz sympathizer Venustiano Carranza
orders his assassination
❖ Finally a group of Mexican reformists lead by a leader called Obregon
overthrew Carranza’s government, this new leader faced the daunting task of
rebuilding after years of devastating revolution
Political Change
❖ The beginning of Mexico’s history is when Cortes landed in the New World.
This set in motion a chain of events that would forever change Mexican
history
❖ Since those words spoken by Father Hidalgo in 1810, Mexico has been
riddled with instability. The majority of Mexican History has been a power
struggle. However, within the last century, Mexico has managed to gain a
legitimately recognized government and it’s complete independence.
Political Change
❖ The Porfiriato period lasted from 1876-1911. This was a period of relative
peace for Mexico after around 60 years of completely instability.
❖ Though it was peaceful, no democratic principles were put into place and
Porfirio was essentially a dictator.
❖ The power was very centralized during this period with most of it lying with
just a few political elites. This was arguably a needed change for Mexico as
the country was coming out of a period of incredible turmoil. However, Diaz
did state that he would not exceed one term.
Political Change
❖ If nothing else, understand that Mexico proves that old habits die hard. After a
relative period of political stability and peace the Mexican people decided that
the Porfiriato regime had overstayed it’s welcome and needed to be ousted.
❖ Support for Diaz’s opposition, Francisco Madero, was growing at an alarming
rate. This created a stability never before seen by Mexico and was arguably
the worst period. When Diaz stepped down, it was essentially whoever could
garner support would have his way. Leaders like Pancho Villa and Emiliano
Zapata retained power through their use of the working class peasants. This
prompted the U.S. to control the party next door through use of Military action.
Political Change
❖ In 1917 a Constitution was signed that brought about a symbolic end to the
Mexican Revolution. Unfortunately fighting did not cease.
❖ The restabilization of the nation began with the presidency of Lazero
Cardenas, who was able to bring about the first positive change in Mexican
politics since it’s inception. He is sometimes referred to as the Roosevelt of
Mexico.
❖ Cardenas’ government was run through the practice of state corporatism and
was the first Mexican government to make a real attempt at solving the
economic and social issues of the nation.
❖ Post Cardenas’ the PRI was created which is the primary Mexican party
Economic Change
❖ Mexico’s economy has been no less revolutionary than it’s political process.
The change’s really began during Cardenas’ sexanio.
❖ Mexico’s original economy was based almost entirely on agricultural
principles with mining operations scattered throughout. The discovery of oil
reserves changed that however, as it always does.
❖ Mexico was/is in the primary sector, the primary oil production company is
PEMEX.
❖ More recently they have made the push to the secondary and tertiary sectors.
Economic Change
❖ Through the Cardenas’ era, the economy was stimulated further than Mexico
has ever seen.
❖ The previous largest economic stimulation had been foreign investments from
the United States which created the basis for business and industry, however
this was in the Porfiriato period which obviously created some issues. The
wealth being created was not being distributed evenly which was a primary
cause of the revolution.
❖ The current stance of the Mexican economy is a shaky one. The period from
the 1950’s-1980’s is known as the “Mexican Miracle”. It was named due to the
GNP growth due to the large sums of natural gas and oil. Keep in mind that
the economy depended heavily on these resources, so when the price of oil
Political Institutions - Regime Type
❖ Though Mexico’s regime type is difficult to categorize, Mexico has typically
operated under a state corporatist structure (central, authoritarian rule that
allows the input from nongovernmental interest groups).
➢ Mexico has begun to develop some democratic characteristics, however, it is still categorized as a
“flawed democracy,” in addition to being described as a transitional democracy.
❖ In addition to its corporatist structure, Mexico is strongly influenced by a patronclient system, a system in which the state provides specific benefits or favors in
return for public support.
Government Institutions - see handout
❖ The Constitution of 1917 created three branches of government similar to
those of the US, in addition to a system of competitive elections. While the
Constitution provided for a system of checks and balances, the branches
rarely utilize it.
❖ The Constitution is easily amended and lacks the level of legitimacy that the
constitutions of other countries have.
Political Institutions - Elections
❖ The president serves one, non-renewable six-year term (called a sexenio)
and is elected through a plurality system. No run-offs are required.
❖ Members of congress are elected through a dual system of plurality voting
and proportional representation. 300 seats are chosen by plurality within
single-member districts (SMD) and 200 seats are chosen by proportional
representation.
Political Institutions - Linkage Institutions
❖ The three largest political parties in Mexico are PRI, PAN, and PRD.
➢ PRI (Partido Revolucionario Institucional) has typically been characterized by a
corporatist structure and its patron-client networks called “camarillas.” PRI has
been particularly moderate in its policies and has, for the most part, maintained
control.
➢ PAN (National Action Party) is PRI’s opposition to the right. PAN platforms include
regional autonomy, less government intervention in the economy, clean and fair
elections, good rapport with the Catholic Church, and support for private and
religious education.
➢ PRD (Democratic Revolutionary Party) is PRI’s opposition to the left. In the past,
PRD has been noted as being disorganized and has been weakened by its
Branch
Comparisons of political and government institutions
Mexico
Russia
Nigeria
Iran
Legislativ
e
Senate: elected by a mixed
system of SMD and PR,
writes legislation (subject to
approval by Chamber of
Deputies and the
President); Chamber of
Deputies: 300 elected by
SMD, 200 elected by PR,
writes legislation (subject to
approval by Senate and the
President).
Federation Council:
appointed by executives &
heads of legislatures in 83
sub-governments, may not
propose legislation but must
approve legislation started
by the Duma; Duma:
elected by PR, proposes
legislation.
Senate: elected by PR,
writes legislation
(subject to approval by
the House and the
President); House of
Reps.: elected by SMD,
writes legislation
(subject to approval by
Senate and the
President).
Majiles: elected by SMD, must be
Muslim, has the power to choose six
members of the Guardian Council,
enact secular laws (must be approved
of by the GC), approve budgets, and
approve or dismiss cabinet members.
Executive
President: chosen by
national popular election
(doesn’t need to win the
majority), has power over
foreign and domestic
policy, cabinet
appointments, and
appointments of SC
judges.
President: elected by
popular majority with runoffs, has power over foreign
and domestic policy, submits
legislation for Duma
approval, and may call a
referendum; Prime
Minister: appointed by
president, manages and
initiates legislation in the
Duma.
President: elected by
popular vote (must win
25% of votes in ⅔ of the
36 states), has power
over foreign and
domestic policy; Vice
President: *same as
above*
Supreme Leader: chosen by the
Assembly of Religious Experts, must
be Shi’ite, has power to declare war,
appoint judges, six members of the
GC, and members of the Expediency
Council, and can dismiss the
president; President: elected by
popular election, must be Shi’ite, has
the power to manage the budget and
economic policies, sign treaties,
propose legislation to the Majiles, etc.
Public Policy - The Economy
❖ The “Mexican Miracle” is a term describing the exponential growth in Mexico’s
economy between 1940 and 1980 as a result of high oil prices.
➢ This period in time is marked by rapid industrialization. Agriculture’s share of total
production fell significantly, while that of manufacturing grew.
➢ The “Mexican Miracle,” however, created new urban and economic issues, such
as a growing gap between the rich and the poor, and all of the issues associated
with rapid and unplanned urbanization. Under the presumption that oil prices
would remain high, the Mexican government borrowed upwards of 100 billion
dollars.
❖ The government’s response to the state of its economy was to enact reform
programs to cut government spending, reduce the debt, and privatize its
Public Policy - The Economy (cont.)
❖ Following the “Mexican Miracle,” Mexico’s economy began to diversify as the
Mexican government became less dependent on its oil production.
➢ Mexico still faces issues of income inequality, urban planning, and pollution.
❖ The provisions of the Constitution of 1917 - which provided for limitations to
the rights of foreigners to exploit natural resources by declaring that all
subsoil rights are the property of Mexico - evidently proved detrimental to the
Mexican economy. As a result, Mexico’s government relaxed its restrictions
and encouraged private industry within the country. As a measure to
encourage free trade, a manufacturing zone, called the maquiladora district,
was established and promoted by NAFTA.
Public Policy - The Energy Sector
❖ In 2008, President Felipe Calderón proposed a reform to give PEMEX (a
para-statal) greater budgetary autonomy and strengthen regulations on the oil
industry. This reform, had it been approved, would have allowed private
contracting of refining and, essentially, the privatization of PEMEX.
❖ Mexico’s current president, Enrique Peña Nieto, has followed through on his
campaign promise to reform PEMEX in such a manner as to allow joint
ventures with private firms. 2013 constitutional reforms under his
administration included provisions to establish “State Production Companies”
(SPCs) and private parties that PEMEX would compete against. Additionally,
the Mexican government maintained its ownership of the oil and
hydrocarbons in subsoil, as well as maintaining exclusive control of the
Public Policy - Immigration
❖ The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), unlike nations in the
European Union, lacks the agreement of its members to allow for the free flow
of labor across borders.
❖ In the past, President Fox proposed an initiative that stipulated guest worker
programs, amnesty for illegal immigrants, and increases in issued visas, in
return for a tightened border to prevent additional illegal immigration.
❖ In 2006, the Bush Administration passed a bill providing for the construction
of 700 miles of fencing along the border between the US and Mexico, an
action described as being “an important step toward immigration reform.”
❖ In 2013, Congress, under the Obama Administration, considered a major
Public Policy - Comparisons
❖ Due to the variety of affecting factors that need to be taken into account for
each of the six core countries, public policies vary tremendously.
➢ Mexico has the aforementioned policies regarding issues associated with the
economy, the energy sector, and immigration.
➢ The UK maintains its status as a “welfare state,” which manifests as the
healthcare system known as the National Health Service.
➢ Until recently, China had the “one child policy,” which included incentives such as
free contraceptives, abortions, and sterilizations to those families who followed the
policy.
➢ Nigeria has anti-LGBT laws, backed by consequences and incentives to abide by
such laws. If an individual is convicted of being LGBT, he or she faces steep fines
SOURCES
https://www.dlapiper.com/en/us/insights/publications/2013/12/historic-reform-inmexico-clears-the-way-for-for__/
http://www.history.com/topics/mexico/mexico-timeline