Citizens, society, and the stateBrett Balick Zahra Mohseni

Thomas Josephson

Cleavages

There are 4 main cleavages that impact the Mexican political system:

-1.Urban vs. Rural-2.Social class-3.Mestizo vs. Amerindian-4.North vs. South

These cleaves are often CROSSCUTTING which cause divisions to occur as the issues change. But recently, these cleavages have often COINCIDED as urban, middle-class mestizos from the north have found themselves at odds with rural, poor Amerindians from the south

Social Class

-Economic inequality is very high with the poorest 10% of the population earning 1.6% of the total income while the top 10% earning 35.6% of Mexico's income-High infant mortality rates-Lower levels of education-Shorter life expectancies among the poor-Middle class has been growing recently with this increase coming from both the informal economy and from new industries or service businesses

Mestizo vs. Amerindian -The main ethnic cleavage

is between the Mestizo, which is a blend of European and Amerindian, and the Amerindians-30% of Mexicans think of themselves as Amerindians while only about 10% actually speak their indigenous language-These Amerindians are also more likely to live in rural areas and to live in poverty

Urban vs. Rural -Political structure created

when most of the population lived in rural areas-Today, Mexico is more than 75% urban-The literacy rate is about 90%-Urban voters are less inclined to support the PRI (Institutional Revolution Party)-Urban citizens have been receptive to political and economic reform

Mexico City, Mexico

North vs. South

North:-Very dry and mountainous-Population is much more prosperous because of trading with the United States-Have a substantial middle class with relatively high levels of education-More supportive of a market-based economy

South:-Largely subtropical-Large numbers of Amerindians with less European ethnicity than the North-Their average incomes are lower than those in the north-Lower averages of years of schooling with the south averaging 6 years, while the north averages 8.1 years-Think of their central government as repressive

Recent Changes

Incomes of the poorest half of the population are growing faster than the average-Poverty levels as defined by the government have fallen-Income distribution is becoming less unequal

Population Pyramid:

Political Participation

Has been characterized by revolution and protest

Today citizens participate in elections that are increasing in legitimacy

Patron-Client System: elites running for positions make compromises and distribute political rewards in exchange for loyalty

The government elite are in control of this system because they are in charge of who receives favors

Patron Clientelism This system has roots from the

19th century caudillos

Each group formed a camarilla- a hierarchical network which exchanged offices and other benefits

Prominent until 2000- peasants in camarillas received jobs, financial assistance, and even food and shelter for voting for the PRI

Modernization counteracts the system

Protests When citizens’ demands get out of

hand, the government responds by accommodating their demands and including them in co-optation

In 1968 government troops killed 200 people in Tlatelolco Plaza during student protests, but the next president placed student activists into his organization and increased social service spending

1994 Chiapas Rebellion: Chiapas sponsored the Zapatista uprising which represented Amerindians who felt inferior to the mestizo population

Made people realize that some people still live in harsh conditions

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qE74paq8-Go

Voter Behavior Before the 1990s, PRI controlled elections on

all levels

Voting rates high due to patron-client system

Election days were festive but filled with corruption

Other parties besides the PRI emerged in the 1930s

Vote turnout was highest in 1994 – 78% of citizens

Factors that contribute to voting:

1. Region: In 2006 majority of North voted Calderon(PAN) and majority of south voted for Obrador

2.Education: Higher education voted for Calderon, more people without college educations voted for Obrador

3. Income: 50% of upper income citizens voted for Calderon

2012 Election:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpO0IEyaHok

Freedom in Mexico

(Freedom on the internet)Freedom of the press: Considered not free as of 2011: journalists and communicators who used social media to bypass censorship in the traditional press were targeted by government officials

Decrease in democracy due to “war on drugs” , lack of transparency and alleged human rights abuses

Freedom in the world: Partly free, some human rights standards have been improved with constitutional changes but there are still severe rights abuses allegations

Civil Society

Groups that have refused to cooperate with the PRI have formed the basis for a lively civil society in Mexico.

The PRI practiced state corporatism in order to ensure that no one group successfully challenged the government

PRI divided interest groups into three sectors: labor, peasants, and the middle class (“popular”)

Civil Society

The Confederation of Employers labor group

PRI’s downfall started in civil society with discontented businessmen who were not incorporated into the government’s system.

This group was behind the formation of PAN

PAN’s 2000 presidential candidate, Vicente Fox, challenged PRI

ROLE OF Women

In traditional Mexican families, the father is the ultimate authority

Women are expected to take care of children and housework

Violence is a major problem for Mexican women

The attitude of Machismo

if a man does not demonstrate his superiority, he is seen as a ‘lesser' man by other male members of society

Role of women

“In the past years, Mexico has approved a number of laws and institutions designed to protect women from discrimination and violence. Much of the problem, however, lies in the lack of effective implementation of these laws and the weakness of the institutions,” said Rupert Knox