A SUMMARY OF GOVERNANCE IN MEXICO 1917-2006

The nature of Governance in Mexico after independence was dynamic, it was recorded that the presidency changed hands 75 times in the next 55 years. There were leaders such as Diaz, Madero etc and during the Mexican revolution there was Zapata, Villa and Carranza who led the Mexican politics. These leaders all played a role in laying down dramatical policies that led to dramatic economic transformation at the time, modest industrialization such as when a considerable railway network was established. Promotion of mining and agriculture exports etc was pursued which benefited the wealthy and increased the gap of the rich and poor. This period 1917 was noted for the writing of a new constitution which has remained underpinning of Mexican politics ever since.[1]

Since 1929 power have been in the hand of National Revolutionary Party(PRI), notable leaders in this party was Presidency of Lazaro Cardenas 1934- 40 who tried to realize the radical implications of the constitution by distributing 44 million acres to over 800 million people largely through communally owned farms. In 1938 he expropriated the foreign owned oil companies and created the Petroleos Mexicanos (PEMEX) which has been a source of national pride.

Other government followed suit such as President Aleman 1946-52 who was in the fore front of  the ambitious public works programme which aimed at creating modern infrastructure. Other presidents include President Luiz Echeverria, Miguel De la Madrid etc. The PRI leaders were known for their domination, control of drugs trade, imposition of political stability, control of social groups, corruption and also for their several aims  to promote development, increase standard of living, eradicate poverty etc.[2]

PRI party held politics and power for seventy one years but this changed in year 2000 when Vincente Fox of National Action Party (PAN) won. The new government   which lasted for six years saw an unprecedented battle and war on drugs, reorientation of Mexico foreign policy, etc the government through power, politics and government was said to bring about the economy stabilization. The outcome of the period from 2000 was the dependent nature of the Mexican government on capitalism and debt problem which has led to continual social, political and economic crises and from 2006 the new government aimed at combating corruption among others[3]

REFERENCE

[1] Palmowski J. 2008.  Dictionary of Contemporary World History .U.S: Oxford University press. P 451

[2] Palmowski J. 2008.  Dictionary of Contemporary World History .U.S: Oxford University press. Pp 451-452

[3] Staudt  K. and Campbell .H. 2008. The other side of the Ciudad Juarez Story. Revista: Harvard Review of Latin America. Harvard.