Mexico Sovereignty, Authority, and Power

1. Mexico Sovereignty, Authority, and Power By Bria Guitano, Danielle Adler, Jenna Rosen, and Wyatt Maxey

2. Constitution of 1917 • February 5, 1917 • Established a Federal presidential republic • Based on a presidential system

3. Legitimacy • Citizens consider the power of their government legitimate • The Revolution of 1910-1911 was an important source of legitimacy • Citizens admire their revolutionary leaders throughout history • Consider charisma in leaders and important attribute towards legitimacy

4. Legitimacy cont. • Revolution was legitimized by the formation of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) in 1929 • PRI was intended to stabilize political power in the hands of its leaders • PRI was an important source of legitimacy until it was successfully challenged in the late 20th century.

5. Legitimacy cont. • By 2006 the PRI held a minority of seats in both houses • Today sources of public authority and power are changing rapidly

6. Geographic Influence

7. Geographic Influence • Mountains and Deserts: separate regions and causes communication, transportation, and infrastructure to be difficult. • Natural Resources • Oil, silver, other natural resources are in abundance • Mexico has struggled to maintain them wisely.

8. Geographic Influence • Long Border with the US • Migration and dependency issues occur • Mexico is often overshadowed by the US • Overpopulation (114 million people) • Not enough jobs • Low quality of public services • Pollution

9. Geographic Influence • Urban Population • ¾ of the population lives in cities or along coasts • The move from rural to urban during the late 20th century disrupted traditional Mexican politics, including the patron-client system.

10. Geographic Influence • Varied Climates • Because of its great distance from north to south, Mexico has many different climate types • Mexico is creating cleaner automobiles to help their climate (Chacha). Because Mexico’s primary partnerships are in the automotive industry, this is important.

11. HISTORICAL TRADITIONS

12. AUTHORITARIANISM • Came from colonial structure set up by Spain • Strong-arm tactics by military-political leaders • Porifirio Diaz allowed no sharing of political power beyond the small, closed elite • President currently holds a great deal of power • Authority has been recently questioned

13. POPULISM • Democratic revolutions of 1810 and 1910 • significant peasant bases • Led by charismatic figures • cried out for more rights for Amerindians • Reflected by Zapatista movement • Values the Amerindian heritage and their rights • Strongest in southern part of the country

14. POWER PLAYS/DIVISION WITHIN THE ELITE • Elites who led dissenters during the Revolutions of 1810 and 1910 • Warlords/caudillos of early 20th century • Politicos vs. Tecnicos of late 20th century • Politicos- old style caciques who headed camarillas • Tecnicos- educated, business oriented leaders • Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador’s challenge • Threatened to destroy fragile democratic structures

15. INSTABILITY AND LEGITIMACY ISSUES • History full of chaos, conflict, bloodshed and violent resolution • Current regime leans towards instability • 1994- major presidential candidate assassinated • Luis Donaldo Colosio Murrieta by Mario Aburto Martinez • Gang-related violence challenges government authority • Especially in the north

16. Mexican Political Culture

17. Importance of Religion • Catholic Church • Priest leaders of populists movements since 1920s • Since the early 20th century, the government developed anti-cleric positions. In result, the church’s political influence has decreased. • Though the church doesn’t hold as much power anymore, Mexicans still highly value Catholicism. It indirectly influences many of their political values as well.

18. Patron-Clientelism • In Mexico, it is the highly powerful cliques that are based on person connections and charismatic leadership. • Mexican Camarillas • “I scratch your back, you scratch mine.”

19. Corruption • Democratization and industrialization have challenged these systems yet Mexico continues to fall into patron-clientelism • Regardless of social class, Mexican citizens can interact with political officials and gain something out of the system. • Maximum political payoff

20. Economic Dependency • Under the United States’ shadow • Constant struggle to become a more economically independent country • 80% of Mexican exports go to the U.S. • $4 billion has accumulated in debt to the U.S.

21. Works Cited • Carlsen, Laura. "Mexico and the Crisis of a Dependent Economy." Americas Program. N.p., 11 Oct. 2009. Web. <http://www.cipamericas.org>. • Wood, Ethel. AP Comparative Government and Politics: An Essential Coursebook and Study Guide. 5th ed. Pennsylvania: WoodYard Publications, 2011. Print. • Hamann, Carlos. "Mexico Election Winner Faces Threat to Legitimacy." Yahoo! News Singapore. AFP News, 14 July 2012. Web. <http://sg.news.yahoo.com/mexico-election-winner-faces-threat-legitimacy-101916429.html>. • "ESLBEE.com Is A Resource for English as a Second Language Teachers. Edit This Microsummary." ESLBEE.com Is A Resource for English as a Second Language Teachers. ESLBEE, 16 Feb. 2013. Web. <http://www.aboutus.org/ESLBEE.com>.