MEXICO
Historical Development of
Mexican Political Culture
Important Themes to the Development of
Mexican Political Culture
(1) Geography & Demographics
(2) Impact of Colonialism
(3) Mexican Independence
(4) The Porfiriato
(5) Revolution of 1910
(6) The Cardenas Upheaval
(7) Techicos
Geography & Demographics
 Regionalism – large mountain ranges and vast
deserts separate Mexico into regions – a
major characteristic of the political system
Geography & Demographics
 Mexico has an
abundance of oil,
silver, and other
natural resources
 History of
mismanagement and
foreign exploitation
has prevented the
Mexican people from
benefiting.
Geography & Demographics
 Mexico shares a 2,000-mile-long border with
the U.S. leading to Contacts, Conflicts,
Migration, and Dependency Issues.
Geography & Demographics
 Population Levels
 111 million Mexicans
(11th largest nation)
 Most populous
Spanish-speaking
country in the world
 Population growth has
slowed significantly
(+1.1%), but still
growing
Geography & Demographics
 Mexico has urbanized
rapidly
 77% of the population
lives in cities
 Mexico City (18 million
people) one of the
largest cities in the
world
Urban Skyline of Mexico’s capital - Mexico City
Historical Trends and Traditions in
Mexico’s Political Past
(1) Authoritarianism
(2) Populism
(3) Power plays/divisions within elite
(4) Instability and legitimacy issues
Historical Development of Mexican
Political Culture
(1) Colonialism
 Mexico was a colony of Spain from
1521-1810
 Spanish brought Roman Catholicism
to Mexico
 60% of Mexicans are Mestizo – a
ethnic blend of Spanish and
Amerindian
 Began economic dependency
Spanish Conquistador Hernan
Cortes conquered Mexico
Historical Development of Mexican
Political Culture
(2) Mexican Independence
 Mexican priest Miguel Hidalgo led a
popular rebellion against the
Spanish
 Mexican Independence Day 09/16/1810
 Independent Mexico struggled with
instability and legitimacy issues
 Instability gave rise of the military
as a political force
 U.S. dominates Mexico
 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848) –
gave U.S. Texas, New Mexico, Arizona,
California, Utah and part of Colorado
Father Miguel Hidalgo led the
war for Mexican Independence
Historical Development of Mexican
Political Culture
(3) The Porfiriato
 Gen. Porfirio Diaz staged a
military coup (1876), became
President and ruled Mexico with
an iron hand for 34 years.
 Brought stability & authoritarianism
 Foreign investment (US) brought
economic growth
 Only for some – gap between rich
and poor widens
Gen. Diaz, President of Mexico
(1876-1911)
Historical Development of Mexican
Political Culture
(4) Mexican Revolution of 1910
Revolution leader Pacho Villa
 Reformers sought to end Diaz dictatorship
 Constitution of 1917 – set up a democratic
government, w/3 branches and competitive
elections
 Caudillos – political/military strongmen
from different regions of Mexico fought for
power
 Ex.) Pancho Villa
 Patron-Clientelism - a system in which the
state provides specific benefits or favors to
a single person or small group in return for
public support
 Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) –
“institutionalized” the revolution by
establishing a large umbrella political party
that would share the power among
Caudillos
Historical Development of Mexican
Political Culture
(5) Cardenas Upheaval
 Lazaro Cardenas – charismatic
leader who spoke for the poor
brought major change
 Nationalized industry
 PEMEX – giant government-controlled
oil company
 Import Substitution Industrialization
 Redistributed land
 Invested in public works
 Concentrated power in the presidency
Lazaro Cardenas (1934-1940)
considered to be Mexico’s
Roosevelt
Historical Development of Mexican
Political Culture
(6) Tecnicos
 1950s Mexico welcomed foreign
investment again
 “Mexican Miracle” – based
largely on huge supplies of
natural resources, Mexico’s
economy boomed
 Tecnicos – educated, businessoriented leaders in government
and PRI.
 Neoliberalism – supported free
markets, balanced budgets,
privatization, free trade, and limited
government in economy.