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The United Mexican States

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History

Spanish conquistadores invaded a land previously inhabited only by native peoples However, Mexico was still part of the viceroyalty of Spain In 1821, after an 11 year war, Mexico gained its independence

From 1846-1848 fought a war with America which secured its 4/4/12 northern border

Mexican Constitutional History

Constitutions of Mexico

Mexico has had three constitutions

1824 Constitution of Mexico Federal Constitution of the United Mexican States of 1857 The Constitution of 1917

Currently operates under the Constitution of 1917 following the Mexican Revolution

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Mexican Constitutional History

1824 Constitution of Mexico

declared Mexico as independent of Spain intent to operate under a popular federal representative republic

powers divided into three branches: Executive, Legislative, and Judicial

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Legislative split into a Chamber of Deputies and Senators

Mexican Constitutional History

1824 Constitution of Mexico

President serves four years only Slavery is abolished

slave owners are compensated and all slaves are now freedmen

Individual states will function under similar system as federal government total states amount to 19

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California is still part of the Mexican government at this time

Mexican Constitutional History

Federal Constitution of the United Mexican States of 1857

established after overthrowing Antonio Lopez de Santa Ana on 1855

authors split between moderate and pure liberals

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Very similar to last

Mexican Constitutional History

Federal Constitution of the United Mexican States of 1857

established most rights seen in American Bill of Rights

right to bear arms, freedom of religion, freedom of press, etc.

Titles of nobility are no longer recognized Defined Mexican nationality

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obligations as citizen and Mexican

Mexican Constitutional History

Federal Constitution of the United Mexican States of 1857

Biggest change since last constitution

catholic religion no longer mandatory no longer protected clergy ecclesiastical members no longer allowed to run for office no purchases of property by ecclesiastical corporations abolition of Juarez's Law

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Mexican Constitutional History

The Political Constitution of the United Mexican States

was constructed in the aftermath of another revolution led by Francisco Madero in 1910 that government was ousted by dictator Victoriano Huerta

supported by U.S. ambassador Henry Lane, Felix Diaz, and Bernardo Reyes

this dictator was defeated by 4/4/12 Venustiano Carranza's Guadalupe Plan

Mexican Constitutional History

The Political Constitution of the United Mexican States

this constitution was based on the last one but added another set of new articles presidential term increased from 4 to 6 years layed basis for a mandatory and lay education

essentially outlawed private schooling

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Mexican Constitutional History

The Political Constitution of the United Mexican States

recognized the rights of workers and unions also enacted anti-clerical laws barring them from certain privelages

inheritance except from blood relatives running and holding office canvassing for political candidates or parties

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were passed despite Venustiano

Mexican Constitutional History

The Political Constitution of the United Mexican States

due to the opposition to the anti-clerical laws a civil war called the Cristero War broke out

due to this resurgence the laws were made even more strict from 1934 to 1946

However during Pope John Paul II's visits in the 80s, he wasn't arrested despite being in violation of the laws were eventually repealed in 1992

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National Government

Regime Classification

Federal republic

Federal Representative Democratic Republic

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Constitutional Framework

Current Constitution established on February 5, 1917

Convention during the Mexican Revolution of 1910 Divided up into 9 titles 136 Articles within the titles Multiple significant amendments

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Constitutional Framework

Title I

Basic individual rights Outlines what defines a Mexican Citizen Outlines what defines a foreigner Responsibilities of Mexican citizenry

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Constitutional Framework

Title II

National sovereignty and form of government

Sovereignty and power originate in the people People have the right to modify the government Federal Democratic Representative Republic Free/Sovereign states

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parts of federation and national

Constitutional Framework

Title III

Division of Powers Creation/Function of Legislative Branch Delegated powers of the Executive Branch The Judicial Branch process and jurisdiction

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Constitutional Framework

Title IV/V/VI/VII/VIII/IX

Responsibilities of Public Officials The States of the Federation Labor and Social Security General Considerations Amendments to the Constitution Inviolability of the Constitution

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Territorial Division

The country is divided into 31 free and sovereign states

Constitution Congress Judiciary Governor (6 year term) Representatives to unicameral state congresses for 3 year terms

States are divided into municipalities 4/4/12 managed by mayors

Legislative Branch

Congress of Mexico

Senate

128 Total seats 6 year terms 500 seats 3 year terms

Chamber of Deputies

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Elected officials cannot serve consecutive terms

Congressional Responsibilities

Powers include

Admitting new states and territories into the union Changing the seat of the supreme powers of the Federation Legislating on all matters concerning the Federal District and Territories Levying necessary taxes

Declaring war in light of information from the executive 4/4/12

Senate

Specific responsibilities of the Senate include

Approving treaties and diplomatic conventions Ratifying appointments to public office Authorizing the deployment of troops abroad Appointing provisional state governors if necessary

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Chamber of Deputies

Specific powers delegated to the Chamber of Deputies include

Supervising the function of and appointing employees to the Auditor Generals Office Approving the annual budget Granting or refusing the appointments of magistrates to the superior court of justice of the Federal District of the Territories

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Legislative Process

Each chamber is structured around a system of forty standing committees with 20 members each Both chambers play an equal role in the legislative process (symmetrical bicameralism) The policymaking process is very similar to that of the United States

Two sessions held per year, but the 4/4/12 President can call special sessions

Legislative Process

Policies and bills originate and are proposed by the people/local governments and the Executive Branch Committees study and recommend bills, and Joint Committees form to resolve certain disagreements and issues

Similar to in the U.S. bills are introduced on the floor of Congress 4/4/12

The Executive Branch

Responsibilities and powers of the President

Execute laws enacted by congress Appoint and remove various government officials, ministers, diplomatic agents, consuls general, superior officers, and magistrates to the superior court Declare war

Direct diplomatic negotiations and 4/4/12 negotiate treaties

Judicial Branch

Supreme Court

11 justices Elected for fifteen year terms Cases of a civil or criminal nature that arise from the enforcement and application of federal laws and foreign treaties Cases involving admiralty law Cases in which the Federation is a

Jurisdiction includes

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Social Setting of Politics

Majority of population is Roman Catholic (76%)

Protestant - 5.2% (Pentecostal 1.4%, other 3.8%), Jehovah's Witnesses - 1.1%, Other - 0.3%, Unspecified - 13.8%, None - 3.1%

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Predominantly Mestizo society (60%)

Social Cleavages

North vs. South

The North is where market forces remain supreme with shopping malls, and cultural landscapes that resemble industrialized countries. This is partly due to the maquiladoras, which 4/4/12 are industries and

Social Cleavages

North vs. South

In the South, the Mexican economy is much more stagnant --- it is where most of the lower GDP/capita in Mexico is reflected primarily because there are far more villages with diversified ethnic groups in the South. Indigenous regions predominately in the south Because of this South-North division that causes economic inequalities, illegal immigration from Southern Mexicans into the United States across the border is heavily rampant.

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Social Cleavages

North vs. South

Indigenous populations are among the poorest and most marginalized groups in Mexico. Prejudice among broad sectors of the population toward Indians persists.

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Gender Division

Although the political arena is strongly dominated by men, the presence of women in public space has become more common place. In the early twentyfirst century, for example, the 4/4/12 leadership of

Political Participation

IFE (Federal Electoral Institution)

This group makes sure that elections are carried out fairly and democratically.

Political efficacy was never high in Mexico until recently because of the PRI regimes 4/4/12 power in dictating

Political Participation

Political efficacy was very low before 2000 because the PRI party would consistently win through election fraud. However, when Fox was elected president from the PAN party in 2000, efficacy increased because people began to see that their votes actually mattered. The fact that Mexicans are allowed to create new political parties adds to the sense of political efficacy.

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Political Participation

Political efficacy was very low before 2000 because the PRI party would consistently win through election fraud. However, when Fox was elected president from the PAN party in 2000, efficacy increased because people began to see that their votes actually mattered.

The fact that Mexicans are allowed to create new political parties adds 4/4/12

Political Participation

Voting

The Mexican Constitution grants universal suffrage to everyone who is over the age of 18 universal and compulsory (but not enforced) No citizens are restricted because of ethnic or religious background

Petitioning and contacting local officials is a very common way for the 4/4/12 Mexican people to get

Elections

Elections in Mexico determine who, on the national level, takes the position of the head of state the president as well as the legislature.

The President of Mexico is elected for a six-year term 4/4/12 by the people. The

Elections

The Chamber of Deputies (Cmara de Diputados)

500 members, elected for a three year term

300 of whom are elected in single-seat constituencies by plurality, The remaining 200 members elected by proportional representation in 5 multi-state, 40-seat constituencies.

The Chamber of Senators (Cmara de 4/4/12 Senadores)

President

To be eligible to serve as president, Article 82 of the Constitution specifies that the following requirements must be met

Be a natural-born citizen of Mexico able to exercise full citizenship rights, with at least one parent who is a natural-born citizen of Mexico. Be a resident of Mexico for at least twenty years. Be 35 years or older at the time of the election. Be a resident of Mexico for the entire year prior to the election (although absences of 30 days or fewer are explicitly stated not to

Incumbent President Felipe Caldern (PAN)

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President

More Requirements

Not be an official or minister of any church or religious denomination. Not be in active military service during the six months prior to the election. Not be a secretary or under-secretary of state, attorney general, governor of a State, or head of the government of the Federal District, unless "separated from the post" (resigned or been granted permanent leave of absence) at least six months prior to the election. Not have been president already, even in a provisional capacity

Until the late 1990s, the overwhelming majority of those elected to public office in Mexico were, in 4/4/12 effect, political appointees named to their positions

Political Parties

Institutional Revolutionary Party (Partido Revolucionario Institucional, PRI)

Est. 1929 Centrist 237 Seats in Chamber of Deputies 33 Seats in Chamber of Senators 19 Governorships

National Action Party (Partido Accin 4/4/12

Political Parties

Labor Party (Partido del Trabajo, PT)

1990 Left 13 Deputies 5 Senators

Ecologist Green Party of Mexico (Partido Verde Ecologista de Mxico, PVE)

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1993

Political Parties

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Interest Representation

Interest Representation in the PRI

Labor Sector

Confederation of Mexican Workers (Confederacin de Trabajadores de Mxico, CTM) 1936 National Peasant Confederation (Confederacin Nacional Campesina (CNC) 1938

Peasant Sector

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Popular Sector

Interest Representation

Corporatism

Government provides benefits and privileged access to certain groups in exchange for loyalty Military Church Businesses

Other interest groups

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Economic Policy

GDP: $1.657 trillion GDP Per Capita: $15,100 Growth Rate: 3.8% GDP by Sector

Agriculture (3.9%) industry (23.4%) services (62.9%)

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Economic Policy

Import Substitution Industrialization

Economic policy that advocates replacing foreign imports with domestic production Primary policy for most of 20th Century until 1994 Free market economic policy Phased in by 1994

Neoliberalism

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North American Free Trade

Foreign Policy

United Nations

A Founding member Neutral in International Conflicts Drug trade Migration

Diplomacy

Issues

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Social Policy

Education

95% Literacy $20Billion Budget School system

Primary School (Primaria): Grades 1-6 Junior High School (Secundaria): Grades 79 High School (Preparatoria): Grades 10-12 Undergraduate: 4 years Post-Graduate

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Social Policy

Poverty

PROGRESA Microcredit loans Human Rights Corruption

Other Issues

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Finito
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