Notes over pages 451-458

1. Notes over pages 451-458 MarahSchlingensiepen and Cain Mathis

2. Political Parties - PRI • The PartidoRevolucionarioInstitucional • Founded in 1929 by President Plutarco Calles • Created in order to reduce violent conflict among contenders for public office and to consolidate the power of the central government. • For over 50 years, the PRI resolved conflicts and legitimated the regime through electoral process. • Then, they fell apart. Beginning in 1995, they were defeated in elections because they were unable to distance themselves from the unpopular policies made by the technocrats in the federal government.

3. -The PRI had unlimited access to government funds in order to finance campaigns -No one knew the amounts being spent -Mexico lacked laws that required the reporting of campaign income and expenditures. -In 1993, minimal public recording requirements were set up. -Individuals could donate the equivalent of $165,000… -PRI outspent all opponents by a huge margin, and they now had more money than ever before. -In 1996, Congress majorly limited total private contributions, although campaign finance abuse did not disappear. (In 2000’s election, an audit showed that the gov- owned oil company, PEMEX, made a $140 million loan to important PRI-affiliated labor unions. -PRI’s main advantage was ability to easily commit electoral fraud by: -stuffing ballot boxes -relocating polling places at last minute -disqualifying opposition party poll watchers -manipulating voter registration lists -Until 1996, PRI had majority in all state and federal entities that controlled vote counting. -PRI most successful with old, uneducated, low-income citizens. -PRI also declined when there was a massive population shift from rural to urban. -PRI adjusted from being a mean machine to a party out of power, but is currently back in power.

4. The PartidoAccionNacional (PAN) • The PAN was established in 1939 because of the leftward shift of public policy under President Cardenas. • Founders were Catholic intellectuals who supported Christian ideology. • Party opposes restriction on church activities • Main constituency is the urban middle-class • Between 1964 and 1990’s, most PANista representation was in Congress where they fought electoral fraud in an attempt to increase PANista representation.

5. -Ideological position is center-right, with strong elements of Christian Socialism -Conservative attitudes toward abortion -Liberal attitudes on trade and general democratization -PAN has at difficulties due to organizational divisions between moderate-progressives and militant-conservatives. They have been jockeying for control of the party. -PAN gained control of presidency in 2000 because people were unified over the desire to remove the PRI from power. -PAN is being criticized for mimicking the ways of the PRI because, since 2006, it has interfered in internal party affairs.

6. The Partido de la RevolucionDemocratica (PRD) -The PRD is the new “home” for PRI party members whose aspirations are being infringed upon by their own party, the PRI. -PRD leans independent left -PRD was not very good at forming ties with popular movements outside of the PRI-affiliated structures. -Electoral strategy: form coalitions with PAN in order to block PRI victories.

7. Shifting Social Bases of Mexico’s Parties • Before 2006, PRI’s base was made up of rural voters, women, and older voters. • In 2000, PAN did best among urban and male voters. • In 2006, the PRD took the male vote. • In 2000, PRI did better among voters with low education and PAN did best with highly educated voters. • In 2006, the PRD took the uneducated voters and lower-middle class. • Regions were also very important in the 2006 election. PRD had Mexico City support and PAN had northern support. • In 2006, region was able to predict the results as accurately as age, gender, income, education, and race combined.

8. That concludes pages 451-458!