MEXICO STUDENT NOTES.

MEXICO STUDENT NOTES

CURRENT POLICY CHALLENGES
Economy produces few jobs Educational system needs modernization Impoverished population Unequal distribution of income Environmental problems Barely functioning criminal justice system Catch up to trade partners/competitors Modernize agricultural sector Renovate energy sector Expand tax base Change election rules

Why Study Mexico? Constitution of 1917 was model for other progressive movements in Latin America Longest single-party government in the modern world ( ) Political system was very stable during 20th century Political economy is a classic example of the challenges and prospects of the transition from state-led development to neoliberal economic policy NAFTA – relationship with United States

OVERVIEW System of Government: Presidential…just like America
Distribution of Power: Federal System…just like America only states have far less power Electoral System: Mixed System: SMDP and PR Constitution: Constitution of 1917 Legislature: Bicameral - Chamber of Deputies & Senate…just like America Current Head of State: Enrique Peña Nieto Head of Government: Enrique Peña Nieto Current Ruling Party: PRI Major Political Parties: PRI, PAN, PRD

THE MEXICAN STATE Constitutional republic
Currently: DEMOCRATIC REGIME pero like barely Formal separation of powers Federal Presidential Political centralism – concentration of decision making power in pres. 31 states and Federal District (like US has 50 states plus DC) Each divided into municipios headed by mayor and council (kinda like US into counties/cities) Each layer of government successively weaker Subunits VERY dependent on national gov (funding)

Geographic Influence Never underestimate the power of simple geography to explain (or create) internal differences in a country. Mexico is one of the most geographically diverse countries in the world All this feeds into regionalism in the political culture Mountains and Deserts = communication/transportation difficult Varied Climates = size creates different experiences Natural Resources = create disproportional wealth A long border with the United States

II. SOVEREIGNTY, AUTHORITY, POWER: EVOLUTION OF MEXICAN STATE
Originally occupied by the Mayan civilization about 1,000 years ago; civilization then gave way to the Aztecs. SPANISH COLONIALISM: Spanish incorporated native population into an elaborate hierarchy. Criollos, mestizos, indigenous Spanish haciendas formed on huge estates Catholic Church owned 1/3 of the country and forced Catholicism Spanish were not effective colonial leaders and were never able to secure rule throughout the country

Miguel Hidalgo led rebellion from Parish Priest issued a call for the end of Spanish misrule in 1810 Began a series of wars of independence that lasted for the next 11 years. Between 1833 and 1855 there were 36 presidential administrations Porfirio Diaz A military coup 1876: ruled for 34 years Dictatorship (authoritarian), stable, industrialization Foreign influence HIGH (backlash – think about the Shah)

Countryside - loosely coordinated bands of peasants took up arms Labor - organized series of strikes in mines and mills Cities – liberals rallied behind “revolutionary” Francisco Madero Won presidential nomination in 1910 under Anti-Reelectionist Party however, Diaz “won” election CIVIL WAR - Madero gathered supporters, started war against Diaz, who agreed to abdicate.

II. SOVEREIGNTY, AUTHORITY, :POWER EVOLUTION OF MEXICAN STATE
Patron-Client System – in an effort to unseat Diaz, caudillos rose to challenge each other for power. Popular leaders Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata emerged leading peasant armies. Around each leader a patron-client system emerged that involved large numbers of citizens Many caudillos were ultimately assassinated (including Villa and Zapata) Large numbers of followers were also killed in the competing world of the caudillos

1917 Constitution Current source of regime and legitimacy Democratic government, checks and balances, “competitive” elections Power of church limited, foreigners no longer allowed to own Mexican land or mineral resources 1928 President Plutarco Elias Calles Could not run for reelection under constitution SO to provide continuity from one presidency to another CREATE A POLITICAL PARTY to control nomination and election CALLES LEGACY: regulated how succession would occur and instituted one party rule Mexico still sucked, just wasn’t as violent

Establishment of PRI PRI brings all leaders under one big umbrella political party Bring stability through the idea of “passing around” power from one leader to the next as the presidency changed hands Sexenios – president could only serve one 6-year term Other leaders would be given major positions in government to establish their influence PRI- “institutionalized” the revolution by stabilizing conflict between leaders

Creation of Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) (1929) 70 year reign: the “perfect dictatorship” State and party merged into one Single-party controls access to political offices (ALL) Partido Revolucionario Institucional Pendulum Theory – back-and-forth effect in Mexican politics from socialist reform to free-market economic development and back again Maintain power/limit revolution by encouraging loyalty ***Created stable government, BUT cost social reforms ***Established firm patron-client relationship Notice how closely this resembles the flag

When you don’t feel like fixing an election… Patron-client relationships (camarillas) aka corporatism/clientelism (groups/individuals) Corporatism contrasts pluralism People are members of groups that make up society MX: military, peasants, workers, middle class Leaders of camarillas can be co-opted by material reward (jobs); creates loyalty (votes) Heavy repression/reforms in times of criticism Translates to clique

RECAP! So far, Mexico has been defined by 2 things
1) The ability of the PRI party to maintain political control through CORPORATISM/PATRON-CLIENT RELATIONSHIPS/CLIENTELISM w/ peasants, labor, middle-class EACH w/ their own mass organization communication w/ PRI party representatives

Citizens, Society, & the State
Traditionally Mexican citizens have interacted with government through a patron-client system Because camarillas so interwoven in Mexican politics, most people have had some contact with government during their lives Clientelism has generally meant that the government had the upper hand through its ability to determine which interests to address and which to ignore The role of citizens in Mexico is changing as political parties have become competitive and democracy becomes more firmly entrenched

How did PRI Party gain support from these groups??? This guy  THE CARDENAS UPHEAVAL ( ) Cárdenas was handpicked as Calles successor – Cardenas quickly exiled his former patron Redistribution of Land From haciendados (landowners) to ejidos (cooperative farms) He gave poor people land!!! So they were all like we love you <3 besos <3 besos <3 besos and we will reward you by always voting for your party  Nationalization of Industry (PEMEX) Produced ¼ of world’s oil; removed foreign firms

Cardenas’ Changes Redistribution of Land – land was taken away from big landlords and foreigners and redistributed as ejidos – collective land grants – to be worked by peasants Nationalization of Industry – foreign business owners were kicked out of country, most industry was put under control of the state. Ex: PEMEX – giant, government controlled oil company Investment in Public Works – government builds roads, provides electricity, creates public services to modernize Mexico Encouragement of Peasant and Union Organizations – Cardenas welcomes their input in government, they form their own camarillas with leaders that represent their interests on president’s cabinet Concentration of Power in Presidency – Cardenas stabilizes presidency, when his sexenio was up he peacefully let go of power Peasants love him <3 workers love him <3 and apparently no one loves democracy

Cardenas and ISI Cardenas used a strategy of state-led development known as Import Substitution Industrialization (ISI) Employs high tariffs to protect locally produced goods from foreign competition Government ownership of key industries (PEMEX) – SOCIALISM :0 Government subsidies to domestic industries Government takes the lead in promoting industrialization (very little capital in private hands during this era)

Import substitution industrialization High tariffs, subsidies, economic favoritism, state ownership and management “Mexican Miracle” - Fueled strong economic growth for 40 years Oil reserves discovered in 1970s 1970s-1990s economic crisis HUGE DEBT – internal and external Rising inflation Devaluation of peso Mexicans supported PRI b/c of strong economic growth Undermined PRI leverage – helped spur civil society towards democratic reform

1988 presidential election PRI won with 50.4% of vote; marred by allegations of fraud lost gubernatorial elections throughout country 1990s: Federal Electoral Institute Public financing for all party candidates Opposition gained control of Chamber of Deputies (lower house) Opposition party elected mayor of Mexico City

ELECTION FRAUD Disqualifying opposition party poll watchers, stuffing ballots, relocating poll places, voter purges, buy/confiscating voter credentials, trucked voters to vote at multiple polls…OH, also, THEY COUNTED THE FREAKING VOTES, so added tallies to PRI candidates – sometimes numbers equaled more than actual voters, campaigns funded by tax dollars Usually won % of the vote No penalties cause they run this ish

PRI OUT OF POWER :O ELECTION REFORM
Outgoing president no longer picks successor CAMPAIGN FINANCE: minimum public disclosure of finances and limits reduced private donations, increased public financing Elimination of presidential “slush fund” VOTING BASE: Traditional older, rural, poor…well, as Mexico industrialized more urban dwellers Slowly recovering by forming coalitions and demonizing PAN ineffectiveness ALL instituted under PRI Presidents b/c of continued political pressure from civil society

Tecnicos Tecnicos – educated, business-oriented leaders usually with degrees in economics, political science or business. Tecnicos in the PRI espouse a free-market approach to the economy By the 1980s Mexico had settled into an economic approach based upon Neoliberalism – WHY DON’T YOU KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS YET!?!?! Free markets Balanced budgets Privatization Free trade Limited government intervention in the economy

PRI appeared to be in state of decomposition BOTTOM LINE: PRI (government) response to human needs (economic, basic needs, civil rights) either slow or nonexistent SO led to DEMAND for a more transparent and efficient democratic system Electoral reforms, media scrutiny 2000: PAN candidate Vicente Fox won PRI - Third place finish in presidential election in 2006, but PAN won by less than 1% 2006: Felipe Calderon, PAN won 2012: back in presidency, but not in Congress WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?!?!?!

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 Expand states’ rights Urban middle class, conservative peasants North and Center-West Gubernatorial success in 1990’s

IV. CITIZENS, SOCIETY, AND STATE: PRD
Remnants from dissenting PRI elite who 1) felt passed over for political office or 2) did not like the neoliberal reforms under Salinas Capitalize politically in areas were PRI WAS strong but b/c of liberal economic policies of 80’s/90’s, PRD stepped in Represents the left of the ideological spectrum Members believe in moderate socialist political ideas Some who lean toward a communist ideology

Voter Profiles PRI – small town or rural, less educated, older, poorer
PAN – from the north, middle-class professional or business, urban, better educated (at least high school, some college) religious (or those less strict regarding separation of church & state) PRD – younger, politically active, from the central states, some education, small town or urban

IV. CITIZENS, SOCIETY, AND STATE: CIVIL SOCIETY
Historically WEAK (like a taco shell) 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: 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

Cleavages Urban vs. Rural –Today Mexico is 75% urban, with a literacy rate of about 90%. Urban voters are less likely to support PRI and are more receptive to political and economic reform Mestizo vs. Amerindian – only about 10% of Mexicans speak indigenous languages, but about 30% consider themselves Amerindians. Amerindians are marginalized, predominantly rural, and poor. This cleavage tends to define social class, with most of Mexico’s wealth in the hands of the mestizo population. North vs. South – The north is almost like a different country then the area south of Mexico City. Majority of educated citizens and Mexico’s wealth lies in the north. Southern Mexico is primarily populated by Amerindians, characterized and led by Zapatista Movement in Chiapas.

IV. CITIZENS, SOCIETY, AND STATE: POLITICAL SOCIALIZATION
Schools: gov-sponsored curriculum BUT…Higher education associated w/ call to reform, right to dissent, and democratic liberties Catholic Church: Provided education for middle and upper class. Criticized anticlerical laws and promoted individual initiative. Media: used to be highly supportive of PRI w/ penalties for rhetoric criticizing president BUT…now pretty liberal w/ some broadcasters remaining loyal, eh, but PRI still pays people a lot Adult political learning: Personal encounters with government functionaries and police

POLITICAL PARTICIPATION
OLD Campaign rallies for free stuff Pressure from PRI sector representatives Sold votes in return for handouts Ritualistic Past 20 years Explosion in political participation Rise in turnout Civil society slow to grow, but growing

Political Participation
Historically characterized by revolution and protest Mexican citizens have generally been subjects under authoritarian rule of the political elite Citizens sometimes benefited from patronage, but legitimate channels to policy-makers were few Today citizens participate through increasingly legitimate and regular elections

ELECTIONS Now as democratic as in US
Citizens in Mexico directly elect the president, Chamber of Deputy Representatives, and Senators as well as most local & state officials. Elections are generally competitive, specifically in urban areas Compulsory voting – but no real penalty Every 3 (Chamber of Deputies) or 6 years Seen as civic duty to vote, but really pushed by patron client relationship “tacos” = stuffed ballots…tasty

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

¡Ya Basta! EZLN – aka the Zapatistas
Claim to the be the current-day heirs of Zapata’s land-reform revolution in the early 20th century Chiapas state – Many indigenous Maya Rebellion began on 1/1/94 – the day NAFTA went into effect Demanded “jobs, land, housing, food, health, education, independence, freedom, democracy, justice, peace, and a repeal of NAFTA” Movement of indigenous people and part of the wider anti-globalization movement

States = FEDERAL! 31- Governors Popularly Elected
6 year term, but can never serve a second term Every governor from PRI ( ) President can have Senate remove governor of any State in which law and order cannot be maintained President then appoints interim governor to finish term

III. POLICYMAKING INSTITUTIONS: GOVERNMENTAL SYSTEM
Constitution grants president more power than other branches – until late 20th century executive branch dominated Leg. And Jud. Subordinate to the president

III. POLICYMAKING INSTITUTIONS: PRESIDENCIALISMO
President is Head of State/Govt No V.P. Current President: Enrique Pena Nieto (2012) Dominant political actor in Mexico for greater part of twentieth century (acted as a DICKtator) De facto leader of PRI – chose all candidates = loyalty/control Possesses broad range of unwritten but recognized “metaconstitutional” powers – concentration of power

III. POLICYMAKING INSTITUTIONS: THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH
Legislative powers Initiate legislation that was then sent to a Congress controlled by PRI Make policy by decree Create administrative/bureaucratic regulations Formal powers: Initiate legislation, lead foreign policy, create agencies Informal power: Make policy by decree and through administrative regulations and procedures

III. POLICYMAKING INSTITUTIONS: THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH
The right to appoint the Attorney General The right to appoint the Attorney General and the Chief of Police of the Federal District The right to appoint the Secretaries of State and all the members of the Mexican Executive Cabinet The right to appoint all Mexican Ambassadors Supreme power over the army, navy, and air force The power to declare war and peace (with prior congressional authorization) The power of negotiating foreign treaties The power to issue decrees The right to nominate Supreme Court justices The power to veto laws The right to introduce bills in Congress for their consideration.

Where my ladies at??! Not in Congress, okay. Awkward.

III. POLICYMAKING INSTITUTIONS: NATIONAL CONGRESS
Senate Non-re-election 128 (elected both plurality and PR) from each state and 3 from MC 32 elected proportionally 6 year term Deputies Non-re-election 500 deputies 300 plurality 200 proportionally 3 year term PRI controlled until 1997 – since that time the legislature has exerted influence b/c of divided government HOWEVER mixed member system has yielded a THREE-PARTY SYSTEM and COMPLICATES having a majority in either chamber High party discipline – get cues from party NOT constituents (***They don’t have to get reelected!!!!)

Elections Each of Mexico’s 31 states elects three senators, 2 are determined by majority vote, the other is determined by whichever party receives the second highest number of votes 32 senate seats are determined nationally through a system of proportional representation that divides the seats according to the number of votes cast for each party (128 Senate seats in total) In the Chamber of Deputies, 300 seats are determined by plurality within single-member districts, and 200 are chosen by proportional representation

NON-REELECTION Sexenio
One of the few limitations on presidential power Specifically the president BUT non-reelection across the board Positives – limits consolidation of power, less election oriented, check on power, new people = new ideas Negatives – no accountability; good leaders leave office; poorly designed policy

III. POLICYMAKING INSTITUTIONS: THE JUDICARY BRANCH
TRADITIONALLY under PRI power, just another arm of the party apparatus 1994 given judicial review by president, 15 year terms instead of 6 years to coincide w/ president, and reduced SC from 24 to 11 justices *attempt to remove executive control undermined by 8/11 supermajority to deem acts unconstitutional

III. POLICYMAKING INSTITUTIONS: THE JUDICARY BRANCH
Rights of Defendants: right to counsel, right against self-incrimination, right to face accuser, right to trial, speedy trial REFORM: remove past relationship of subordination of court to executive Adversarial process by 2016

LEGAL SYSTEM Establishing stable RULE OF LAW largest obstacle
Legal system flawed: most police are wanted for criminal activity, under paid, easily bribed Calderon reforms: education spending/antipoverty programs reduce opportunities for drug traffickers to BUY local support Decriminalization of small amounts of narcotics Tighter screening, testing, monitoring of police Standardized sentencing, penal system form of rehabilitation ALL COSTS TOO MUCH!

The Military Marginalized from centers of political power (under civilian control) Used for: Repress student protests (1968) Deal with earthquake (1985) Break labor strike (1989) Deal with protest over electoral fraud Manage Mexico City police (1997) Combat drug trafficking Repression, torture, killing in 1970s and 1980s

Bureaucracy Bureaucracy Parastatal Sector
Huge million people (most in Mexico City) Parastatal Sector A government-owned corporation or agency Produce goods/services usually carried out by private individuals in other countries (ex: PEMEX) Huge sector under PRI, Reforms have trimmed # of parastatals

Neoliberalism – free markets, balanced budgets, privatization, minimal government intervention NAFTA (1994) Proposed by President Salinas Signed by Mexico, Canada, US Removed barriers on trade and investment b/t the three countries Economic globalization (US) Increased vulnerability to international economy Linked Mexican and United States economies Led to economic crises of 1994 and recession of 1995

V. POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT AND ECONOMIC CHANGE
PRI vowed to fulfill demands of the masses – land, education reform, labor rights All predicated under patron-client system and strong presence in the economy (ISI) Strategy for industrialization based on domestic manufacture of previously imported goods to satisfy domestic market demands. State capitalism “Mexican Miracle” ( )

Mexico’s international economic policies altered by crisis Government pursued outward-oriented policies. Relaxed trade and investment barriers and encouraged production of exports $50 billion economic assistance program by United States, Europe, and IMF Imposed economic stabilization package—containing austerity measures, higher interest rates, and limits on wages.

Demands to deal with economic and political crisis Weakening of political power centers provided opportunity to reorient economic development strategy Deregulation gave private sector more freedom. Salinas privatized some 900 state-owned enterprises Overhaul of federal system, delegating more power to state and local governments

From 1980 to 2000, Mexico transformed from a closed economy driven by oil to one led by diversified services and exports FDI $330 billion Maquiladores – manufacturing centers (80% of exports) Oil now less than 20% of total exports Gini coefficient 2008 – 48 (largely unequal) Globalization has increased government transparency – economic freedom led to political freedom and PRI could NOT regain political control

VI. PUBLIC POLICY: CURRENT CHALLENGES
½ under poverty line Few jobs to accommodate youth in labor force Development gap Income gap Weak rule of law Women paid less Major environmental problems (waste)

Oportunidades (Zedillo) – gov gives families stipends to keep young children in school Seguro Popular (Fox) – national health insurance program

Experts assert that air quality in Mexico City has reached the point of no return

Transition to Democracy: Elections are as democratic, transparent as any other country in Americas Talk of changing Constitution of 1917 to weaken presidency and strengthen Congress Should be classified as a democracy, one of best functioning in Latin America BAM! Mexico! (Drops mic.)

MEXICO STUDENT NOTES.

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