Introduction
Mexico is one of the main ‘real-world’ examples in the AP Comparative Government and Politics course when analyzing how industrializing democracies work. South Korea underwent political change from being commanded by one party to democracy, all while still encountering difficulties in fighting corruption, organized crime, and unequal treatment among the public.
Even though democracy in Mexico can develop, the rise of cartels and weak law enforcement can hinder it.
1. Historical Background: From Revolution to One-Party Rule
a. Mexican Revolution (1910–1920)
- Caused a major shift in land, work, and rules in the United States.
- Set the foundation for the modern Mexican state and the birth of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI).
b. The PRI Regime (1929–2000)
- The PRI held power for over 70 years, controlling the presidency, legislature, courts, unions, and media.
- Elections were held, but the PRI always won — giving rise to the term “soft authoritarianism” and the nickname “the perfect dictatorship.”
- Mexico appeared democratic but was tightly controlled.
c. Democratic Transition
From the late 1980s into the 1990s, Mexico saw growing pressure for reform due to:
- Increasing political opposition
- Economic crises and international scrutiny
- Electoral reforms and civil society activism
2000 Presidential Election:
Vicente Fox of the PAN (National Action Party) defeated the PRI — ending 71 years of dominance and marking a major step toward democracy.
2. Structure of Government: Federal Republic with Presidential System
Mexico is a federal, presidential democracy. It blends elements of the U.S. system (federalism, checks and balances) with Mexico’s own historical and institutional legacy.
a. The Executive
- The President serves as both head of state and head of government.
- Term: One six-year term (sexenio), with no reelection allowed.
- Elected via plurality vote in a single national election.
Presidential powers include:
- Appointing cabinet and federal officials
- Proposing laws and the budget
- Commanding the military
- Conducting foreign policy
- Influencing judicial appointments
Recent Presidents:
- Vicente Fox (PAN) – 2000–2006
- Felipe Calderón (PAN) – 2006–2012
- Enrique Peña Nieto (PRI) – 2012–2018
- Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO, MORENA) – 2018–present
With his leftist-populist approach, AMLO has centralized power and pledged to tackle corruption.
3. The Legislature: National Congress of Mexico
Mexico’s legislature is bicameral and includes the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate.
a. Chamber of Deputies (Lower House)
- 500 members
- 300 elected by single-member districts (plurality)
- 200 elected by proportional representation (PR)
Responsibilities:
- Initiates and approves laws
- Passes the national budget
- Can impeach officials (though rarely used)
b. Senate (Upper House)
- 128 members
- Each of the 32 federal entities elects 3 senators:
- 2 by plurality
- 1 by first minority
- Additional senators are elected through proportional representation
- Each of the 32 federal entities elects 3 senators:
Senate roles:
- Approves international treaties
- Confirms presidential appointments
- Oversees federal interventions in states
Then vs. Now:
The PRI once used the legislature as a rubber-stamp, but today, with multiparty representation, it participates in debates and challenges the executive. However, AMLO has sometimes bypassed Congress through referenda and executive orders.
4. Political Parties and the Rise of MORENA
a. Major Political Parties
- PRI – Centrist, long-dominant, now weakened
- PAN – Center-right, pro-business, socially conservative
- PRD – Center-left, declining influence since the 1990s
- MORENA – Founded by AMLO in 2014, now the dominant party
b. Rise of MORENA
MORENA now leads national politics, including the presidency, Congress, and multiple state governments.
Promises include:
- Combating corruption
- Reducing inequality
- Restoring public trust
Some critics argue that AMLO and MORENA are consolidating power, undermining checks and balances, and weakening autonomous institutions.
5. The Judiciary and Rule of Law
Mexico’s Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation is the highest court in the country and is supposed to act as an independent guardian of the constitution. However, in practice, judicial independence has historically been weak.
a. Structure
- Judges are appointed by the President and approved by the Senate.
- Serve 15-year terms.
- The court has judicial review powers, but tends to avoid political confrontation.
b. Reform Efforts
- Efforts have been made to modernize and depoliticize the judiciary.
- Creation of specialized anti-corruption courts, but enforcement is uneven.
c. Challenges
- Judicial corruption remains widespread, especially at the local and state levels.
- Judges are often subject to political pressure or influence from criminal organizations.
6. Federalism and Subnational Governance
Mexico is a federal republic, meaning it has division of powers between the national and state governments. However, federalism is deeply uneven.
a. State Governments
- Each state has its own governor, legislature, and constitution.
- Governors hold significant power, often acting as regional political bosses.
- Some states are better governed than others—governance quality varies dramatically.
b. Mexico City
- Formerly known as the Federal District, it gained greater autonomy in 2016.
- It now has a local constitution and elected mayor (called the Head of Government).
c. Local Corruption
- Many state and municipal governments have close ties to drug cartels, which provide funding in exchange for protection or impunity.
- Local police forces are underfunded, undertrained, and often infiltrated by organized crime.
7. Electoral Institutions and Democratic Progress
a. The Role of INE
- The Instituto Nacional Electoral (INE) is an autonomous public agency responsible for organizing elections, overseeing campaign finance, and managing the electoral registry.
- Created in the 1990s as part of democratization reforms.
- INE is widely respected but has faced recent attacks by the executive under AMLO, who seeks to reduce its budget and power.
b. Electoral System
- Presidential elections: One round, first-past-the-post.
- Chamber of Deputies: 300 members elected by plurality, 200 by proportional representation.
- Senate: Combination of direct election and proportional representation.
c. Election Monitoring
- Elections are monitored both domestically and internationally.
- Fraud has greatly decreased since the 1990s, but concerns remain over vote-buying and misuse of public resources.
8. Press Freedom, Organized Crime, and Corruption
a. Freedom of the Press
- Mexico is one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists.
- Dozens of reporters are killed, threatened, or disappeared each year, particularly those reporting on crime and corruption.
- Self-censorship is common in high-risk regions.
b. Cartel Violence
- Powerful drug cartels operate in many parts of the country.
- Violence, extortion, and territorial battles undermine public safety.
- The government’s militarized response has failed to eliminate the threat and has led to accusations of human rights abuses.
c. Corruption
- Corruption affects all levels of government—from traffic police to governors to federal ministries.
- AMLO’s government promised an “end to corruption,” but high-profile scandals have continued under his administration.
9. Key Social and Political Issues
- Poverty and inequality persist, especially in southern rural states.
- Indigenous populations face discrimination and limited access to public services.
- Women’s rights and violence against women are rising national concerns.
- Migration, both northward to the U.S. and through Mexico from Central America, puts pressure on security and infrastructure.
10. Summary Table: Mexico at a Glance
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Type of Regime | Federal presidential democracy |
| Executive | President (single six-year term, no reelection) |
| Legislature | Bicameral (Chamber of Deputies and Senate) |
| Judiciary | Constitutional powers, but weak independence |
| Electoral System | Mixed-member for legislature; FPTP for presidency |
| Key Political Parties | PRI, PAN, PRD, MORENA |
| Corruption and Cartels | Major governance challenge |
| Role of INE | Independent electoral oversight body |
| Key Issues | Violence, inequality, corruption, democratic backsliding |
Final Note
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