STUDENT NOTES #3 CH. 5 MEXICO

IV. CITIZENS, SOCIETY, AND STATE: POLITICAL PARTIES The Partido Revolucionario Institucional (PRI): 1929 appendage of government, now in decline The Partido Accion Nacional (PAN): 1939 center-right Regional autonomy, less gov intervention in economy, fair elections, JESUS! The Partido de la Revolucion Democratica (PRD): 1988 standard bearer of the left Social justice, populism

IV. CITIZENS, SOCIETY, AND STATE: PRI Established with the goal of reducing political conflict Cardenas transformed the party into a mass-based political party that could be used to build popular support for government policies and mobilize participation in elections Cardenas merged local, state and national organizations of peasants and urban workers that had been created during his presidency Party became appendage to the government itself Party enjoyed unlimited access to government funds to finance its campaigns. President enjoyed a slush fund “authorized” by congress

IV. CITIZENS, SOCIETY, AND STATE: PAN Party that represents the views on the right of the ideological spectrum. Established in reaction to the leftward drift of public policy under Cardenas, especially his policies to support socialist public education Founders included Catholic intellectuals and urban middle class It also attracts votes from socially conservative peasants and the urban working class

IV. CITIZENS, SOCIETY, AND STATE: PRD Represents the left of the ideological spectrum Members believe in moderate socialist political ideas Some who lean toward a communist ideology

IV. CITIZENS, SOCIETY, AND STATE: CIVIL SOCIETY Historically WEAK b/c organizations were associated w/ PRI: workers, peasants, businesses, activists organizations Charitable donations/activity rare up until recent history Grown since the movement for free and fair elections: environmentalism, women’s groups

IV. CITIZENS, SOCIETY, AND STATE: POLITICAL RIGHTS More competition Less electoral fraud Primary election for presidential candidates More access to media/open debate

IV. CITIZENS, SOCIETY, AND STATE: CIVIL LIBERTIES Growth of civil society Free media Abortion rights

IV. CITIZENS, SOCIETY, AND STATE: ZAPATISTA MOVEMENT

IV. CITIZENS, SOCIETY, AND STATE: POLITICAL SOCIALIZATION Schools: Stresses the social and the economic process accomplished under post revolutionary governments. President is depicted as an omnipotent authority; this is why Mexicans prefer a presidential government. But, with higher levels of education people are criticizing the government performance. Catholic Church: Provided education for middle and upper class. Criticized anticlerical laws and promoted individual initiative. Adult political learning Personal encounters with government functionaries and police

IV. CITIZENS, SOCIETY, AND STATE: CLEAVAGES Ethnic 60% mestizo; 30% indigenous Geographic 75% urban dwellers Northern part more prosperous than south; farther south, greater poverty Social Class 1) rural farmers, 2) poor urban, 3) growing working class, 4) middle class, 5) upper-middle class, 6) tiny rural, land-owning

ELECTIONS Now as democratic as in US Compulsory voting Every 3 (Chamber of Deputies) or 6 years Patron client relationship required political support in exchange for favor “tacos” = stuffed ballots…tasty