citizens, society, and the state brett balickzahra mohseni thomas josephson
TRANSCRIPT
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