POLITICS IN MEXICOPOLITICS IN MEXICOLUIS ESTRADALUIS ESTRADA

lmestrad@weber.ucsd.edulmestrad@weber.ucsd.eduSpring quarter 2005Spring quarter 2005

March 28-April 1March 28-April 1stst

OverviewOverview

11stst part of the course: Historical part of the course: Historical reviewreview

(Conquest-Independence-Reform-(Conquest-Independence-Reform-PorfiriatoPorfiriato--Revolution-PRI hegemony-Presidential election Revolution-PRI hegemony-Presidential election in 2000)in 2000)

22ndnd part of the course: part of the course: Contemporary challengesContemporary challenges

(Branches of power-Political institutions-(Branches of power-Political institutions-Foreign relations-Voting behavior)Foreign relations-Voting behavior)

MEXICOMEXICO

1313thth most populated most populated nation (106 million-nation (106 million-2005)2005)

1414thth largest largest economy (GDP economy (GDP 941.2 billion-2003)941.2 billion-2003)

55thth Oil producer Oil producer (3.79 million (3.79 million barrels/day-2003)barrels/day-2003)

World’s leading World’s leading producer of several producer of several products (from silver products (from silver to avocados)to avocados)

But …But …

40 percent of the 40 percent of the population lives in population lives in EXTREME povertyEXTREME poverty

Fourth richest man Fourth richest man (Forbes)(Forbes)

Minimum wage: Minimum wage: $0.50 USD per hour$0.50 USD per hour

A gallon of gasoline A gallon of gasoline costs DOUBLE in Mexico costs DOUBLE in Mexico City than in La JollaCity than in La Jolla

Why?Why?

A nation full of contrasts: A nation full of contrasts: economic, social, politicaleconomic, social, political

Historical reasonsHistorical reasons Current decisionsCurrent decisions Cultural valuesCultural values OBJECTIVE: Explain the origins of OBJECTIVE: Explain the origins of

such disparities and understand such disparities and understand present dynamicspresent dynamics

MEXICO TODAYMEXICO TODAY

Independence: Sep. 16, Independence: Sep. 16, 18101810

Revolution: Nov. 20, 1910 Revolution: Nov. 20, 1910 71 years of PRI hegemony 71 years of PRI hegemony

at the national level (ended at the national level (ended in 2000)in 2000)

Federal Republic Federal Republic (Presidential): 31 states and (Presidential): 31 states and 1 federal district1 federal district

Lower Chamber: 500 Lower Chamber: 500 Deputies (300-SMD; 200-PR)Deputies (300-SMD; 200-PR)

Upper Chamber: 128 Upper Chamber: 128 Senators (64-1Senators (64-1stst plurality, plurality, 32-232-2ndnd plurality, 32-PR) plurality, 32-PR)

MEXICO TODAYMEXICO TODAY

Presidents and State Governors elected Presidents and State Governors elected every six years (‘sexenio’), no reelectionevery six years (‘sexenio’), no reelection

Local and Federal Deputies elected every Local and Federal Deputies elected every three years, no three years, no consecutiveconsecutive reelection reelection

Senators elected every six years, no Senators elected every six years, no consecutiveconsecutive reelection reelection

Municipal presidents elected every three Municipal presidents elected every three years, no years, no consecutiveconsecutive reelection reelection

MEXICO TODAYMEXICO TODAY

Next Presidential elections: 2006Next Presidential elections: 2006 Political situation is polarized after Political situation is polarized after

the 1the 1stst PRI defeat in seven decades PRI defeat in seven decades Either the PRI, PAN, or PRD Either the PRI, PAN, or PRD

presidential candidate can winpresidential candidate can win No improvement despite No improvement despite

controlling recurrent economic controlling recurrent economic crisis of end of ‘sexenio’crisis of end of ‘sexenio’

PRD: Andrés Manuel PRD: Andrés Manuel López-ObradorLópez-Obrador

PAN: Santiago CreelPAN: Santiago Creel

PRI: Roberto Madrazo?PRI: Roberto Madrazo?

AVISOSAVISOS

Required texts: Krauze, and Dillon and Required texts: Krauze, and Dillon and PrestonPreston

Reader: universityreaders.comReader: universityreaders.com weber.ucsd.edu/~lmestrad/weber.ucsd.edu/~lmestrad/

ps134b.htmps134b.htm TA: Alejandra Ríos-CázaresTA: Alejandra Ríos-Cázares Tuesday 3/29 IOA, Tuesday 3/29 IOA, Comparing Mexican and Comparing Mexican and

American Public Opinion and Foreign PolicyAmerican Public Opinion and Foreign Policy Wednesday 3/30 IOA, Wednesday 3/30 IOA, Denise Dresser’ book Denise Dresser’ book

presentation (3:30-5:00 pm)presentation (3:30-5:00 pm)