MEXICO Government and Political Culture
Historical Background Spanish Colony Hernan Cortes effects on culture, religion, ethnic cleavages, economy, demographics,mestizos Independence Movement led by Father Miguel Hidalgo 1810-1821 Agustin Iturbide- military dictator begins the Era of the Caudillos, Santa Anna Mexican American War 1846 1848 War of the Reforms Benito Juarez
French Takeover 1864 1867 Revolution against the French led by Juarez Policy Swings between control by the elite, the church, and the military (conservatives) v. control by Juarez (liberals for land reform and Indian rights) The Porfiriato military dictatorship of Porfirio Diaz 1876 1910 neocolonialism, industrialization, oppression of Indians and any against Diaz
The Revolution of 1910 Emiliano Zapata led revolution in the South Pancho Villa led revolution in the North Middle class also angry at elite control led by Francisco Madero For land reform, Indian rights, separation of church and state, against foreign domination of U.S. businesses, and the theft of profits by Diaz and his supporters
Effects of the Revolution More military control Instability Economic recession Assassinations and military coups Fighting spills over into the U.S. U.S. intervenes to develop a constitution for Mexico and arranges elections under Carranza More assassinations and military control through rigged elections
The PRI and Plutarco Calles The Partido Revolucionario Institucional the Institutional Revolutionary Party The principle of accommodation, patronage, patron-client system (networks called camarillas), patronage, the dedazo, an executive dominant government with one party control, depoliticized the military, reduced the power of the Catholic Church
Government Structure Federal 31 states and the federal district, Mexico City Separation of Powers, Checks and Balances Presidential-Congressional System Representative Democracy
Executive Branch President elected directly by the people Powers: like U.S. president but can also declare a state of emergency and rule by decree, dissolve a state government with the approval of the Senate and appoint a federal administrator to run the state, transfer funds from one department to another without Congressional approval, determine how a law is to be implemented, appoint a federal delegate for each state
Lazaro Cardenas PRI President 1934 1940 Nationalization- expropriation of US oil companies End of neocolonialism Labor unions: CTM Confederation of Mexican Trabajadores (Workers) Nationalization of PEMEX, railroads Land Reform the ejido system, ejiditarios, CNC National Confederation of Compesinos CONASUPO Corporatism, Clientelism, Cooptation, no independent civil society, government like a political party machine
Import Substitute Industrialization State Sponsored Development Autarkic Economy 1940-1982 Parastatals (over 1,150 by 1976) State helps private business develop to reduce imports, increase exports, maintains a stable currency, industrializes Mexico Private businesses added to the corporatist system and gov. controls labor unions, keeps wages low, taxes low, tariffs high, provides subsidies, requires licenses CONCAMIN AND CONCANACO
Things Fall Apart Too many gov. employees, too much spending and borrowing, inflation, corruption Jose Lopez Portillo and oil OPEC embargo 1973 74 Iranian Rev., Hostage Crisis 1979 80 Spending spree on infrastructure, social programs Oil prices drop in 1981, gov. in debt, inflation
Opposition Parties PAN National Action Party In the North Pro business, capitalism, US, Catholic Church Wants fair competition, privatization, end to corruption, reduce inflation, reduce tariffs for more trade with US
IMF and Mexico Miguel De la Madrid 1982 1988 (tecnico) negotiates with IMF Structural Adjustment Program loans and restructure debt if follow austerity program Privatize, cut subsidies, raise taxes, lower tariffs and allow foreign investment 1985 earthquake 1982 20% inflation, 1987 159% inflation Exchange rate for peso 1982 56.5 pesos =$1 1987 1460 pesos = $1
PRD Party of the Democratic Revolution Cuautemoc Cardenas splits from the PRI with other reformers Wants economic nationalism, continue and improve social programs, anti IMF interference, to reduce corruption and provide free, fair, competitive elections Probably really won 1988 presidential election
Neoliberalism Carlos Salinas de Gortari 1988 1994 Sells over 1000 parastatals (not PEMEX) Ends subsidies and many social programs Sells ejidos, food prices increase Signs GATT General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (a precursor to the WTO) Negotiates NAFTA Maquiladoras bring jobs What does this do to the corporatist structure?
NAFTA Signed in 1994 Mexico, U.S. and Canada Tariffs gradually are reduced over 15 years More foreign investment especially by US Maquiladoras assembly plants in northern Mexico Regional Cleavages North v. South Zapatista Rebellion led by Subcommandante Marcos in Chiapas
Election 1994 Corruption PRI split between reformers and dinosaurs Dedazo nominee Donaldo Colosio, a tecnico willing to reform PRI Ernesto Zedillo PRI tecnico Continues neoliberalism, negotiates with Zapatistas, changes election procedure Federal Election Institute, primaries, mayor of Mexico City no longer appointed
PRI begins to lose control 1989 PAN wins first governorship 1994 Colosio assassination, PRI splits PRI has less money to buy support, corporatism and patron client system break down 1997 PRI wins only 38 % of the Chamber of Deputies vote, C.Cardenas becomes mayor of Mexico City in 1997 2000 Vicente Fox from PAN is President 2003 Andre Lopez Obrador PRD elected mayor of Mexico City, candidate for President in 2006 2006 Felipe Calderon from PAN elected President No party has a majority in Congress PRI only holds 17 governorships
How did the PRI manage to maintain control of the country for Methods: so long? How did the PRI develop political legitimacy? How was Mexico an authoritarian system? How did the PRI benefit Mexico? How did the PRI lose control of Mexico? Is Mexico a democracy now?
Today President as head of the party Role as Head of Government Cabinet Bureaucracy civil service Patronage in controlling the corporatist interests Relations with Congress Role of the Supreme Court
Legislative Branch Chamber of Deputies 300 elected from single member districts by plurality and 200 by proportional representation, 3 year terms, Powers: Senate 128 members 4 from each state and 4 from the federal district, 96 elected by plurality, 32 by proportional representation, 6 year terms, ½ every 3 years, Powers: Shared Powers:
Judicial Branch Supreme Court - 21 justices Chief Justice plus 5 justices on each of 4 panels to hear cases: criminal, civil, labor, administrative Have power to interpret and apply law and judicial review Life terms, but under the PRI resigned with each new President 6 Circuit Courts of Appeal 68 Federal District Courts
State and Local Governments State Governments People elect a Governor for each state and a one house legislature. There are also state courts Mexico City People elect a mayor (since 1997 prior to that the President appointed the mayor) and a city council Local governments (counties) = municipios Clientelism in the federal system under the PRI
Political Culture Subjects Parochials Regime supporters Anti PRI subculture New Social Movements independent labor unions,peasant Social Indigenous Popular Front, environmental interest groups, women s rights, campaigns to end violence, rural movements, social justice campaigns Cleavages Political Participation Media
Policy Issues Poverty Relationship with the US Immigration Bracero Program Restrictions Drug War lack of sovereignty Trade