Description of the regime
UNITARY VS. FEDERALISM
Mexico has been formally federalist since the Constitution of 1824. Although Mexico does give power to its states, most of the power remains with the federal government. It can now be classified as an asymmetric federalist state.
Mexico has been formally federalist since the Constitution of 1824. Although Mexico does give power to its states, most of the power remains with the federal government. It can now be classified as an asymmetric federalist state.
CENTRALIZATION VS. DEVOLUTION
The power in the Mexican government is highly centralized. State governments are dependent on Mexico City for revenue. In addition, Mexico City is the hub of Mexico’s social, political, and economic institutions – it is the home and origin of Mexico’s pop culture, entertainment, industry, and education. Although governors are officially elected by local voters, the president usually appoints the ruling party candidates for governorships, a power that the PRI exploited until 1989.
However, since the 1980s, the Mexican government has slowly turned toward devolution. As the PRI began to slip out of power, opposition parties started to gain control of municipalities and states. After the economic crisis of the 1980s and 1990s, the government decentralized the healthcare and education systems to lighten the financial load on the federal government. In 2000, the president’s power over the governors began to break down, leading to further devolution.
The power in the Mexican government is highly centralized. State governments are dependent on Mexico City for revenue. In addition, Mexico City is the hub of Mexico’s social, political, and economic institutions – it is the home and origin of Mexico’s pop culture, entertainment, industry, and education. Although governors are officially elected by local voters, the president usually appoints the ruling party candidates for governorships, a power that the PRI exploited until 1989.
However, since the 1980s, the Mexican government has slowly turned toward devolution. As the PRI began to slip out of power, opposition parties started to gain control of municipalities and states. After the economic crisis of the 1980s and 1990s, the government decentralized the healthcare and education systems to lighten the financial load on the federal government. In 2000, the president’s power over the governors began to break down, leading to further devolution.
COERCION VS. CONSENSUS
Because Mexico is a constitutional democracy modeled after the United States, its government depends more on consensus than coercion. During the PRI’s rule in the 1900s, however, the government relied more on coercion than consensus. The PRI was almost absolutely dominant at every level of government; after several decades, the party became known for its pervasive corruption and electoral fraud.
Although the current PRI is more liberal and democratic, corruption is still present, especially in regards to the ongoing drug wars.
Because Mexico is a constitutional democracy modeled after the United States, its government depends more on consensus than coercion. During the PRI’s rule in the 1900s, however, the government relied more on coercion than consensus. The PRI was almost absolutely dominant at every level of government; after several decades, the party became known for its pervasive corruption and electoral fraud.
Although the current PRI is more liberal and democratic, corruption is still present, especially in regards to the ongoing drug wars.
Sources of legitimacy
Ideology of the regime
The current constitution of Mexico, the Constitution of 1917, was modeled after the United States Constitution, and as such, contains many of the same principles. It was the first constitution in the world to set out social rights and is founded on seven fundamental ideals: a declaration of rights, sovereignty of the nation, separation of powers, representative government, a federal system, a means to modify the constitution, and a secular state. The Constitution, therefore, is based on a democratic ideology.
Despite its history, the PRI, the current ruling party, can now be considered liberal. The party is a proponent of neo-liberalism and privatization; combined with President Peña Nieto’s progressive reform, Mexico has become a liberal democracy. |
Autonomy
LOW
The Mexican government’s autonomy is severely hampered by the proximity and economic influence of the United States. The two countries have had a long history of relatively one-sided control, starting with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848, in which the United States took half of Mexico’s territory as a boon for winning the Mexican-American War. Mexico also relies on the US armed forces for assistance in the ongoing war against the drug cartels. Mexico’s economy is largely reliant on the United States; currently, over 80% of Mexico’s oil imports come from the US. In the early 2000s, Mexico’s economy stagnated because of the US recession. Perhaps the most recent important example of the United States’s control over Mexico through economic means was the North American Free Trade Agreement, which was signed by the US, Mexico, and Canada. NAFTA was proposed by Carlos Salinas, then president of Mexico, and took effect on January 1, 1994. The agreement required all three countries to lower their tariffs and established a free market between them. Overall, NAFTA has been beneficial for Mexico’s economy by increasing the diversification of exports and making Mexico less dependent on oil. However, in the years since NAFTA was signed, the amount of Mexico’s exports to the US have increased, making it even more reliant on the US. |
Useful links
http://www.forbes.com/sites/judeclemente/2014/08/30/49/
http://countrystudies.us/mexico/65.htm
http://countrystudies.us/mexico/82.htm
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/ap05_comp_govpol_mexi_42254.pdf
http://countrystudies.us/mexico/93.htm
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/mx.html
http://countrystudies.us/mexico/80.htm
http://www.nationmaster.com/country-info/profiles/Mexico/Government
http://countrystudies.us/mexico/65.htm
http://countrystudies.us/mexico/82.htm
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/ap05_comp_govpol_mexi_42254.pdf
http://countrystudies.us/mexico/93.htm
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/mx.html
http://countrystudies.us/mexico/80.htm
http://www.nationmaster.com/country-info/profiles/Mexico/Government