1. AP Comparative Government Warm up
Define federalism.
Which of the countries we have studied would be considered federalist, and which are unitary?

3. Mexican History and traditions

4. Historical Traditions
Colonialism
Independence in 1821
Importance of Catholicism
Authoritarianism
Populism—Siding with “the people” vs “the elite”
Divisions within elite
Instability and legitimacy issues
Mexican Revolution, drug cartels
Economic dependency (Spain, then the USA)
"Though I may die, I shall be remembered forever; you all will soon be forgotten."

5. Father of Independence, Agustin de Iturbide!

6. The Porfiriato Porfirio Diaz rules Mexico from 1876-1911 (35 yrs!)
Provided authoritarian rule and stability
Lots of foreign investment, lots of economic growth
Growing gap between the rich and the poor
Violent repression of the poor

7. The Mexican Revolution
1910—Francisco Madero, a wealthy land owner, is able to overthrow Diaz
Madero declares himself president, but is killed by General Huerta in 1913
Huerta resigns and flees the country in 1914
Venustiano Carranza declares himself president, serves until assassinated in 1920
The whole time…

8. Pancho Villa A caudillo (leaders at the head of patron-client systems)
Didn’t support any of these leaders, thought they all wanted to be dictators
Controlled his own army in the North of Mexico
Seized land from rich owners, redistributed it to peasants (really just wanted to fight though)
Raids into the United States
Retired in 1920, but was possibly considering a presidential run and was assassinated in 1923

10. Emiliano Zapata
Had his own army in Southern Mexico made up of rebellious peasants and indigenous people
Drafted the Plan de Ayala—Land should be taken from wealthy land owners and redistributed to peasants (“Tierra y libertad”)
Worked to rebuild Morelos based on his Plan
Killed in 1919

11. “I didn’t fight for that
“I didn’t fight for that. We should burn that chair to end all ambitions.”

12. The Constitution of 1917
Set up a government, but did not end violence AT ALL (assassinations into the 1920’s)
Three branches of government
First constitution to ever consider social rights
The State will also regulate the exploitation of natural resources based on social benefits and the equal distribution of wealth.
Covers the rights of workers, including the eight-hour work day, the right to strike, the right to a day's rest per week, and equality regardless of race or gender

13. The Mexican Revolution
Over 1 million people killed
Widespread destruction of the country
Constitution of 1917
“The brutality and uncouthness (vulgarity) of many of the revolutionary leaders has not prevented them from becoming popular myths. Villa still gallops through the north, in songs and ballads; Zapata dies at every popular fair. ... It is the Revolution, the magical word, the word that is going to change everything, that is going to bring us immense delight and a quick death.” Octavio Paz
How does a country recover from this?

14. The PRI Institutional Revolutionary Party, established in 1929
Brought all caudillos together under one political party
They all agreed to “pass around” political power
Each “president” could only have one 6-yr term (sexenio)
Lasted for 71 years until 2000

16. Lazaro Cardenas, 1934-1940 “The Roosevelt of Mexico” RADICAL reforms
Redistribution of land as “ejidos,” taking land away from big land owners and establishing collective communal lands
Nationalized PEMEX, kicked out lots of foreign businesses (import substitution industrialization!)
Investment in infrastructure, modernizing rural Mexico (a little)
Encouraging unionization, allowing peasant reps in the presidential cabinet
Leads to strength of camarillas
The next president, Miguel Aleman…

17. Beginning of the Pendulum Theory
Undid everything.
Encouraged FDI
Beginning of the Pendulum Theory
Back and forth, socialist to free market economic liberalization

18. The Mexican Miracle!
Based on huge oil exports from nationalized PEMEX (and import substitution industrialization), Mexico saw sustained GDP growth in the 1950’s and 1960’s
Used that $$$ to improve standard of living and lift lots of people out of power
Mexico approaching European standards!
Until…

19. 1980’s oil bust
Oil prices drop in the 1980’s, and with it Mexico’s oil revenue
Mexico falls into debt
Revives debate between camarillas (union heads, more socialist) and tecnicos (free market economic liberals)
Tecnicos win out, and Mexico goes into period of privatization, free market reforms
Who did they have to take out loans from?
Carlos Slim

20. Rise of civil society
Businessmen and young people become vocal critics of the PRI and advocates of the 2nd strongest party, the PAN
Lots of anger with PRI because of
Corruption
Sluggish economy and increasing debt
Lack of democracy
1997 legislative elections—PRI sees huge drop in support

21. 2000 Presidential election
Vicente Fox, of the PAN party, wins the election!
RIP PRI ( )
71 year rule!