Mexico
| DOI | 10.1111/j.2041-9066.2010.00043.x |
| Author | George Philip |
| Published date | 01 December 2010 |
| Date | 01 December 2010 |
| Subject Matter | Country Focus |
the presidency and part ly because
the current balance of political forces
makes it almost impossible for a
Mexican president to make full use
of such powers as he has. No presi-
dent has enjoyed a congressional
majority since 1997 – a situation that
cannot change until 2012 at the ear-
liest – and the vast majority of state
governors are members of Mexico’s
opposition parties.
Meanwhile policy issues press.
There is a major problem with the
illegal drugs trade and the Mexican
Country Focus
Mexico
A
generation ago, Mexico had
one of the most effectively
run authoritarian systems in
the world. The political system was
characterised as a ‘six-year dictator-
ship’. This referred to the fact that
the president was not allowed to
serve for more than a single six-year
term but he did the next best thing
and chose his successor.
Today Mexico’s democratic execu-
tive is dangerously weak given the
problems that it faces. The reason is
partly the institutional weakness of
Within a generation Mexico has gone from authoritarianism to democracy and market reform.
But despite some successes the Mexican state has become weaker internally and its economy
more dependent on the US. Meanwhile the country is increasingly vulnerable to spiralling
drugs-related violence, writes George Philip.
government is potentially short of
revenue. It collects comparatively lit-
tle tax in comparison with other Or-
ganisation for Economic Co-operation
and Development (OECD) countries
and its oil production, which provides
around 40 per cent of public revenue,
is in long-term decline.
President Calderon (2006–12)
has been desperately trying to make
some headway on the fiscal side with
an ambitious programme of tax and
oil reform but pr ogress has been
disappointing. Meanwhile Mexico’s
Mexico’s
democratic
executive is
dangerously
weak given
the problems
that it faces
Press Association Images
Seizures of weapons and drugs have increased dramatically as Mexico’s drugs war worsens
101December 2010
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