MEXICO Political and Economic Change

TYPE of change Political change violent, authoritarian, and eventually more democratic Political change violent, authoritarian, and eventually more democratic Economic change rapid with industrialization, becoming less dependent on U.S. and on oil Economic change rapid with industrialization, becoming less dependent on U.S. and on oil

ERAS of CHANGE Colonialism Colonialism Independence through Revolution (19th century) Independence through Revolution (19th century) Since revolution (20th century) Since revolution (20th century) Since one-party domination (21st century) Since one-party domination (21st century)

Colonial history Cultural heterogeneity Cultural heterogeneity Elaborate social hierarchy Elaborate social hierarchy Mestizo: mix of Spaniard and indigenous Mestizo: mix of Spaniard and indigenous Remote areas still primarily Amer-indian Remote areas still primarily Amer-indian Catholicism Catholicism Missions, converting Indians to Christianity Missions, converting Indians to Christianity Unifying factor Unifying factor Economic dependency Economic dependency On Spain On Spain

How was development in Mexico How was development in Mexico different to colonial development different to colonial development in the British Colonies?

19th century Independence – “Porfiriato” Independence – “Porfiriato” Political rights of the peasantry Political rights of the peasantry 36 presidents in 22 years!! 36 presidents in 22 years!! Instability and legitimacy issues Instability and legitimacy issues Rise of military rule (most infamous: Santa Ana) Rise of military rule (most infamous: Santa Ana) Domination by the U.S. after Treaty of Guadalupe Domination by the U.S. after Treaty of Guadalupe Liberals vs. Conservatives Liberals vs. Conservatives Benito Juarez (liberal general) vs. Mexico under Maximilian (conservative monarchy ) Benito Juarez (liberal general) vs. Mexico under Maximilian (conservative monarchy )

How was early Mexican history different from the U.S.?

“The Porfiriato” ( ) Came in by military coup d’êtat Came in by military coup d’êtat Accompanied by “cientificos” – to bring scientific and economic progress to Mexico Accompanied by “cientificos” – to bring scientific and economic progress to Mexico Stability Stability Authoritarian Authoritarian Foreign investment and economic growth Foreign investment and economic growth Growing gap between rich and poor Growing gap between rich and poor Ended by elite coup d’êtat Ended by elite coup d’êtat

A necessary dictatorship?

Revolutionary chaos: Characterized by warlordism & popular uprising Characterized by warlordism & popular uprising Patron-client system Patron-client system “Caudillos” – military strongmen with their followers (Zapata, Pancho Villa, etc) “Caudillos” – military strongmen with their followers (Zapata, Pancho Villa, etc) Constitution of 1917 Constitution of 1917 Democratic system, but ineffective with assassinations Democratic system, but ineffective with assassinations Conflict with Catholic Church Conflict with Catholic Church Movement against Catholics leads to Cristeros Rebellion Movement against Catholics leads to Cristeros Rebellion Establishment of PRI Establishment of PRI Under Calles, agreement of caudillos for sextenio rule Under Calles, agreement of caudillos for sextenio rule

Lazaro Cardenas Redistribution of land Redistribution of land “ejido” collective land grants “ejido” collective land grants Nationalization of industry - PEMEX Nationalization of industry - PEMEX Investment in public works Investment in public works Modernization: roads, electricity to rural areas Modernization: roads, electricity to rural areas Encouragement of peasant and union organization Encouragement of peasant and union organization Style of corporatism to represent interests in gov’t Style of corporatism to represent interests in gov’t Concentration of power Concentration of power Resigned freely after his sexenio – LEGITIMACY Resigned freely after his sexenio – LEGITIMACY

Could this have happened earlier?

Técnicos and the Pendulum Theory Pendulum Theory Pendulum Theory PRI presidents following Cardenas PRI presidents following Cardenas Swaying between SOCIALIST REFORM and FREE MARKET DEVELOPMENT through 1970s Swaying between SOCIALIST REFORM and FREE MARKET DEVELOPMENT through 1970s (Modernization vs. Dependency Theory?) (Modernization vs. Dependency Theory?) “técnicos” – educated, business-oriented leaders “técnicos” – educated, business-oriented leaders Lead country towards MODERNIZATION Lead country towards MODERNIZATION NEOLIBERALISM – free markets balanced budget privatization free trade limited government regulation NEOLIBERALISM – free markets balanced budget privatization free trade limited government regulation

“The mexican miracle” A valid assessment?

1980s OIL BUST!! OIL BUST!! INTERNATIONAL ENERGY CRISIS!! INTERNATIONAL ENERGY CRISIS!! ECONOMIC CRISIS IN MEXICO!! ECONOMIC CRISIS IN MEXICO!! CONFLICTS BETWEEN Políticos AND Técnicos CONFLICTS BETWEEN Políticos AND Técnicos

Change since 2000 End of 60+ years of PRI rule End of 60+ years of PRI rule Conservative swing with PAN Conservative swing with PAN Vicente Fox – the “new image” – oops! Vicente Fox – the “new image” – oops! The Salinas scandals The Salinas scandals Economic diversification Economic diversification PRI reform – on the rise again? PRI reform – on the rise again?

Still the “Mexican MIRACLE”?