Politics in Mexico

Thoroughly grounded in Mexican history, based on extensive field research and unpublished survey data from Mexican public opinion polls, this introduction to the politics of Mexico examines not only the roots of its contemporary political culture, but the structure of government, electoral process, issues of corruption and foreign policy, and possible future directions. Covering citizen values as well as institutions, it examines socialization, citizen participation and voting, and leadership recruitment. Comparing Mexico's political processes to those of the U.S. and other nations, this pathbreaking work also offers a comprehensive examination of American influence on domestic Mexican politics. It is essential reading for anyone fascinated by Mexico, or the broader realm of comparative politics.

1. Mexico in Comparative Context

Why Compare Political Cultures?

Some Interpretations of the Mexican System

Mexico's Significance in a Comparative Context

Conclusion

2. Political-Histoical Roots: The Impact of Time and Place

The Spanish Heritage

Nineteenth-Century Political Heritage

The Revolutionary Heritage: Social Violence and Reform

The Politics of Place: Interface with the United States

Conclusion

3. Contemporary Political Culture: What Mexicans Value

Legitimacy: Support for the Political System and Society

Participation: Activating the Electorate

Political Modernization: Authoritarianism or Democracy?

Conclusion

4. Political Values and Their Origins: Partisanship, Alienation, and Tolerance

Income and Politics

Education and Politics

Religion and Politics

Gender and Politics

Region and Politics

Age and Politics

Conclusion

5. Rising to the Top: The Recruitment of Political Leadership

The Formal Rules

The Informal Rules: What Is Necessary to Rise to the Top

The Camarilla: Group Politics in Mexico

The Rise of the Technocrat

Conclusion

6. Groups and the State: What Is the Relationship?

The Corporatist Structure

Institutional Voices

The Military

The Church

Business

Organized Labor

Intellectuals

Voices of Dissent

Conclusion

7. Who Governs? The Structure of Decision Making

The Executive Branch

The Legislative Branch

The Judicial Branch

The PRI

Conclusion

8. Expanding Participation: The Electoral Process

Electoral Reforms

The 1988 Presidential Election

Trends in Mexican Elections: Opposition Fortunes

Opposition Parties, Their Origins and Future

Conclusion

9. Political Modernization: A Revolution?

Economic Liberalization

Democratiztion

Mexico's Future

Notes

Bibliographic Essay

Index