1. Mexico: Political and Economic Change
AP Comparative Government

2. History
Throughout Mexican history, Mexico has encountered authoritarian governments, military dictatorships and democratic movements
Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1821, after having been ruled since 1519
The historical influence on Mexico can be broken into three parts:
Colonialism
Independence until the Revolution of 1910
The 20th century after the revolution

3. Colonialism From 1519-1821, Spain controlled Mexico
The Spanish instituted an elaborate social hierarchy throughout the nation
Native Spaniards were at the top of that hierarchy
Spaniards born in Mexico were right below native Spaniards
In the middle of the hierarchy were mestizos. Mestizos were mixed race individuals who had both native and Spanish ancestry
Amerindians, or native individuals, were at the bottom of the social structure
Cultural Heterogeneity:
While 60% of the Mexican population is now of mestizo descent, there are still conflicts between mestizo and Amerindian populations
Those of Amerindian descent are primarily from areas south of Mexico City

4. Colonialism Catholicism: Economic dependency:
Most Spaniards live in or near Mexico City, but Spanish priests moved throughout Mexico converting people to Christianity
Economic dependency:
Spain controlled Mexico’s economic fortunes with strict central control
While Spain was able to reap great benefits from Mexico, they never fully realized the wealth of resources that existed

5. Independence/New Country (1810-1911)
Miguel Hidalgo, a Mexican Parish priest, led a popular rebellion against Spanish Rule in 1810
After 11 years of conflict, Mexico was finally recognized as independent in 1821 by the Spanish Government
This new found independence was not stable though, as 36 presidents served between 1833 and
Instability and legitimacy issues:
When the Spanish left Mexico, they took away the support of their government
Since Mexico had a history of being dominated by a foreign power, forming a government was very difficult
Rise of the military:
Due to government instability, military control was exercised throughout Mexico
Santa Anna was one of the most famous military leaders of Mexico

6. Independence/New Country (1810-1911)
Domination by the United States:
The U.S. was able to capitalize on Mexico's weakness and claimed over half of Mexico’s territory in the Spanish American war.
Mexico lost Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Utah, and part of Colorado.
Liberal v Conservative Struggles:
In 1857, Mexico established a constitution based upon democratic principles
The building of a liberal democracy was pushed by Benito Juarez, an individual still celebrated as a Mexican hero.
The Mexican experiment with democracy was ended when a joint French, Spanish, and English takeover of Mexico took place
The leader of this joint takeover was assassinated in 1867 and Juarez was brought back into power
Unfortunately this brought no peace to Mexican politics

7. The “Porfiriato” (1876-1911) Parfirio Diaz
Diaz was a general under Benito Juarez
Diaz staged a coup with the promise that he would serve only one term in office
Diaz ignored that pledge and ruled with absolute power for 34 years
Diaz used cientificos, or a group of young advisors, who believed in scientific and economic progress in Mexico

8. The “Porfiriato” (1876-1911) The influences of the Porfiriato are:
Stability:
With Diaz in power, the years of chaos came to an end.
His dictatorship brought about a stable government in Mexico
Authoritarianism:
This dictatorship forbade the sharing of political power with those beyond the small group of elites within the government
Foreign investment and economic growth:
The cientificos encouraged entrepreneurship and foreign investment
This led to great economic growth and many partnerships with the United States
Growing gap between rich and poor:
The quick economic development in Mexico led to a very wealthy elite and a wide base of poor citizens

9. Early 20th Century
Diaz was forced to abdicate his rule in 1911, after General Francisco Madero pushed for his removal
For the next 24 years warlords battled for control over Mexico
The Influences of this era include:
Patron-client system: In an attempt to seize power in Mexico, Caudillos (political/military strongmen) rose to challenge one another for power
Emiliano Zapata and Pancho Villa led peasant armies to try and establish their own power
Each leader used the patron-client system to motivate support for the movements
The majority of the Caudillos and their supporters were violently killed in competition for power

10. Early 20th Century Constitution of 1917:
The constitution ended the revolution but not the violence
The constitution set the framework for a democratic government with three branches and competitive elections
Political assassinations were common throughout the 1920’s
Conflict with the Catholic Church
The Cristero Rebellion broke out in the 1920’s in an attempt to retain the voting rights of priest and to reinstate church-affiliated schools and allow for church services
The rebellion was not successful and some relics of the anti-Catholic movement still remain
Very few of the laws are actually enforced today

11. Early 20th Century The Establishment of the PRI
In 1929 the caudillos were brought together to make an agreement
The agreement was to give each president one six-year term and then let another leader have his term (sexenio)
Other caudillos would then be given major positions in the government to establish their influence
The Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) was to stabilized and minimize conflict between the leaders
Other parties were allowed to run candidates for office, but the umbrella agreement precluded them from winning

12. The Cardenas Upheaval 1934-1940
From Lazaro Cardenas rose to the Mexican presidency and brought changes that included:
Redistribution of Land:
Land was taken away from big landlords and redistributed as ejidos, or collective land grants
Nationalization of industry:
Foreign business owners were kicked out of Mexico and industry was seized by the state
PEMEX, a government controlled oil company was created

13. The Cardenas Upheaval 1934-1940
Investments in public works:
The government built roads, provided electricity, and created public services
Encouragement of peasant and union organizations:
The peasants and unions had the ear of Cardenas and many formed their own camarillas with leaders who represented their respected groups
Concentration of power in the presidency
Cardenas stabilized the presidency, and he peacefully let go of his power at the end of his sexenio (six year term)

14. State-led development
The industrial development plan that Cardenas used was called import substitution industrialization
This plan employs high tariffs to protect locally produced goods from foreign competition, government ownership of key industries and government subsidies to domestic industries
Mexico is still an example of state corporatism
The president determines who represents different groups to the government

15. Tecnicos and the Pendulum Theory
Miguel Aleman, a former Mexican president, set forth the Pendulum Theory
Aleman pushed back against Cardenas’ socialist policies and pushed for more economic liberalization
Aleman was followed by a more socialist president who pushed the pendulum in the opposite direction
It was in the 1970’s when the pendulum stopped and the tecnicos took control of the government
The tecnicos are educated, business-oriented leaders
The tecnicos subscribed to free-market approaches to the economy
In the 1980’s Mexico practiced neoliberalism
Neoliberalism is a strategy that calls for free markets, balanced budgets, privatization, free trade, and limited government intervention in the economy