Mexican judges learn U.S. justice system in L.A.

This article from the Los Angeles Times is about Mexican judges coming to LA to sit in on courtroom proceedings to learn about the American Justice system. By 2016, all of the 31 mexican states are expected to have switched to an American style judicial system. In Mexico, one person is the judge and the jury. Witnesses don't take the stand, and trials aren't public. The judge just looks over reports of defense and prosecutions and makes a decision. This would make it very easy to bribe a judge. The judges from Mexico were amazed at the transparency of the trials.

This relates to the comparative government concept of institutions. Mexico is trying to change an instituition by modeling it after that of another country.

Mexico's Felipe Calderon vows to defeat violent gangs

This article by BBC recounts Felipe Calderon's address to Congress. In a joint session of the US Congress, Calderon voiced his grievances of the Drug War in Mexico and of new American immigration laws.

In order to quell the Drug War, President Calderon called on the US to halt the flow of weapons across the border into Mexico. Calderon stated that increased violence between the drug cartels coincided with the "2004 lapse of a US assault weapons ban" while reminding Congress that "80% of recently seized guns could be traced to the US."

On the issue of immigration, Calderon admired Mexican migrant workers in the U.S. and promised to help secure their rights even though they are abroad. Felipe Calderon also voiced his regret that so many Mexicans leave the country to go north of the border and promised to create more economic opportunities within the country. Calderon also called on Congress to reform the US immigration policy. "The time has come to reduce the causes of migration and turn this into a legal, orderly and secure flow of workers and visitors," Calderon said. President Calderon then voiced his discontent with the recent Arizona immigration laws which he describes as "a terrible idea using racial profiling." President Obama had made immigration reform one of his top priorities, but with recent change over in the seats in Congress, analysts find it unlikely the legislation will hold any weight.

In terms with our Comparative Government class this article is important as it further emphasizes the symbiotic role between Mexico and the US. It demonstrates Mexico's further reliance on the US to help quell the Drug War with Calderon appealing to Congress for help. However, a cleavage between American and Mexican immigration policy is apparent as Calderon voices his obvious discontent for the US policies.

This article from the Economist talks about President Calderon's visit to Washington D.C. and his meeting with President Obama. The article touches on the main topics concerning the two presidents, including the drug war, immigration, elections/politics and the violence that is causing the Mexican people to lose faith in Mr. Calderon and the government.
The meeting between President Obama and President Calderon was called by Obama to show "that the two neighbours have become friends" and to increase cooperation between the two countries. But, even tough Obama has shown his disagreement with the new Arizona law, there has still been an increase in tension between the United States and Mexico. "The governors of Mexico’s border states said they would boycott a routine meeting with their American counterparts in Phoenix." Meetings such as these have helped improve cooperation between American and Mexican official when dealing with drug traffickers, and some people are worried that the boycott of these meetings will have a negative effect on the communication that has recently been improving, "diplomats from both countries note that their daily collaboration has improved". Some of the cooperation between the countries includes "The Mérida initiative, a scheme under which the United States has offered Mexico modest anti-drug aid, has been extended and tweaked to emphasise strengthening institutions, such as the judiciary", the fact that Mexico is allowing the United States to have such a huge role in strengthening institutions shows how desperate Mexico has become for help and how much influence the United States has over Mexico.
The article also talks about domestic politics and how President Calderon is no longer being trusted by the Mexican people to fix the countries many problems, "polls suggest that Mexicans are becoming sceptical of Mr Calderón’s insistence that he is beating the drug gangs." The kidnapping of Mr. Fernendez de Cevallos also hurts the legitimacy of Mexico's government since he was such an influential (PAN) party member and well known in Mexican politics.
This article is important because it addresses the legitimacy of the Mexican government and the dependency of Mexico on the United States and the importance for the two countries to keep close relations.

This article from the L.A. Times is about Monterrey, Mexico and the drug war. Monterrey is one of Mexico's wealthiest cities and has two times the national GDP per capita. Some of Mexico's best schools are in the city and it is the economic center of the country. For some time it has been untouched by the violence and corruption that is plaguing the rest of the country, but just now has that violence been seeping into the country. The wealth and affluence has made Monterrey an easy place for criminals to launder money, and the authorities in the city have began to lose control. Many think that this increase in crime is because Monterrey has turned a blind eye to the drug crime that has been going on in the city. This has to do with transparency because a city's money as able to shield it from crime and corruption

In this New York Times, opinion editorial column, author Friedman analyzes the strong connection between the U.S. and Mexico with what he calls "Narcos, No’s and Nafta." Mexico and the U.S. have a truly unique relationship that is becoming even more important. Friedman believes that the Drug Wars in Mexico are fueled by the market for drugs in America and the American bought guns that are smuggled into Mexico in order to arm cartels. U.S. travel advisories dissuading citizens to traveling to Mexico have been followed by Mexico's recent travel advisory dissuading Mexicans to travel to Arizona because of recent immigration policy. Friedman then discusses what he sees as the two middle classes in Mexico. Friedman's first group, which he describes as the middle class that "lives off the oil pumped and exported by the state oil company Pemex, which funds 40 percent of the government’s budget", stands as the primary opposition force to privatizing state-owned companies or opening industries to foreign investment or domestic opposition as they advocate the status-qu0. However the other middle class group, described as "the people who came from the countryside to work in new industries spawned by NAFTA", who seemed to have been instilled with an American Dream type of dogma. Friedman predicts that this new emerging bourgeois will eclipse the current middle class and demand new social and economic reforms that are currently hampered.

"'Signs of Violence' found as Ex-Candidate is Missing in Mexico"

This article from the New York Times addresses the apparent, but unconfirmed, kidnapping of Diego Fernendez de Cevallos; a former presidential candidate and important broker of Mexico's National Action Party. Diego Fernendez de Cevallos ran for president of Mexico in 1994, when the first televised national electoral debates occurred. Fernendez ran against the PRI while they were still in power, and even though he was not able to win the presidency, he stayed with his party and has been an influential leader of the National Action Party ever sense.

Diego Fernendez is 69, and his car was found near his ranch in central Queretaro. All of his belongings were still inside along with unspecified
(besides a "small pair of scissors with traces of blood on the ground near the car") "'signs of violence'". the former candidate has not been seen and his family says that they have not been contacted for "ransom" and the mystery behind the disapearence of Diego Fernendez de Cavallos continues.

This article is important to look at in Comparative Government because it has to do with the stability of the government. It is never good when an important political official goes missing, especially when the case involves violence, but during these unstable times in Mexico, the foul play suspected behind Diego Fernendez's disappearance leads to an even more devastating effect on the countries moral and beleif that the government can handle the violent situation in Mexico.

This article by Bloomberg Businessweek, is about the the Mexican peso's recent rapid rise in value. It rose 2.4% to 12.568 pesos per dollar last Friday. This rises came after the governments of the 16 countries that use the Euro loaned as much a 750 million Euros to countries under attack from speculation.

This relates to political and economic change because European nations cause a country's currency to rise in value.

Mexico Extradites Ex-Gov. To US on Drug Charges

This recent New York Times article, Mexico Extradites Ex-Gov. To US on Drug Charges, emphasizes Mexico's bolstered willingness to cooperate with the U.S. Mario Villanueva, a former Mexican state governor, was extradited to the U.S. by Mexico with charges in New York Federal Court of smuggling cocaine into the U.S. "He is the 326th suspect Mexico has extradited to American authorities under Calderon." With America's support of Calderon's counter-cartel offensive with the sound of $1.3 billion under the the Merida Initiative, and Calderon's stronger cooperation with American authorities it is apparent that the drug cartels are now being combated from within their borders and outside of them.

As a compartivist this article is valid to our class because it further insinuates the strong ties Mexico has with the United States. For America to allow foreign law enforcement agents or paramilitary training and funding from another country would be unheard of, but Mexico has accepted this kind of aid from the U.S. The cartel situation seems to have escalated beyond Mexico's reach as Calderon has allowed more and more American intervention over the last few months

Fears That a Lush Land May Lose a Foul Fertilizer

This article from The New York Times talks about the farms in Mixquiahuala which are fertilized by waste water from Mexico City. Land in Mixquiahuala use to be arid, and farming impossible, but the waste runoff from Mexico's capital that has now been used for generations to fertilize the soil has created productive farmland. The waste water is incredibly dangerous for the people who work the fields and are "laced with heavy metals like lead and arsenic, filled with high levels of pathogens and parasites, and weighed down by grease. " From a distance these fields are beautifully lush and green, but the smell is overwhelming and the workers get "rashes" and become ill with the "colds and the flu".

The Mexican government has decided to build a water treatment plant to treat Mexico City's sewage and waste-water that sometimes floods into the streets of the "working-class neighborhoods in the city’s low-lying eastern suburbs." Mexico City will have to pay for the water treatment plant but the purified water is not suppose to go back to the city, it is instead suppose to continue flowing into the Mixquiahuala farm lands. The farmers who grow their food and make their living on these farms are worried that the water will be redirected back to Mexico City once this water treatment plant is built and their farms will be forgotten. There is also fear that the treatment of the water will take out the nutrients that have made the water such a great fertilizer and the land will again become infertile. " though it may remove harmful contaminants, will also strip away some of the natural fertilizers that even the authorities here say have helped make this valley so productive." some farmers are afraid that the removal of these fertilizers and the failure of they're farms will cause them to go hungry and lose the only way of life they ever knew.

This is very important to look at in Comparative government because not only does this point out the development issue of Mexico formerly not treating it's sewage water, but it also poses as a public policy issue and an economic issue for the farmers.

Mexico Revives Ancient Games

This article from USA Today, Mexico Revives Ancient Games, describes Mexico's efforts to renew interest in prehispanic sports. Numbers of players has been dwindling over the centuries and many are in danger of dying out. Among barriers to the widespread playing of the games is that many are dangerous or painful, such as pelota purépecha which is like field hockey with a flaming ball. Also, the games are associated with Indian culture, and most Mexicans favor European culture. Ballgames were very important in Prehispanic culture. The mayan story of creation is of the first two humans created were challenged by the gods of the underworld. The humans lost the game and were killed, but were then turned into the sun and the moon. Now the Mexican government is trying to promot the games among the younger generation. Seminars are being held to teach the games to elementary school teachers. The government doesn't want children to forget the indiginous culture of Mexico in favor of foreign influences.

This article reflects societal cleavages within Mexico, specifically the racial one. As more and more people prefer European to Indian culture, Mexican traditions are disappearing. However, Mexico has always strvied to blend their indiginous and Hispanic cultures, as reflected in their drvies to upkeep indiginous games.

Mexico and American Security Co-operation

This recent Economist article, Turning to the gringos for help, describes a stronger security alliance between Mexico and America in an attempt to outs drug cartels from Northern Mexico. It goes with out saying that American involvement in other Latin American countries has made Mexico weary to allow any sort of American intervention. However the constant violence from these cartels has changed these attitudes. Intelligence sharing, American police training to Mexican law officials, tightening of border security, and 1.3 billion dollar in aid are new efforts that are to be implemented soon between the two countries. However, Mexico officials have made it clear that they will not allow American agents in operational roles. Regardless, it will be interesting to see how this new co-operation will combat the drug cartels.

This article is relevant to our class because it is a prime example of the unique relationship that exists between America and Mexico--a relationship that at times is uneasy but completely valid. As well, this article states that some of the aid money sent to Mexico from the US will go to judicial reform. Mexico's judicial system is most likely the weakest branch of government but with the recent reform, Mexico is solidifying itself more and more into a liberal democracy.

Mexico's Oil Politics Keeps Riches Just Out Of Reach

This article from The New York Times, Mexico's Oil Politics Keeps Riches Just Out Of Reach, talks about how Mexico's readily accessible oil is disappearing, and how the politics of Mexico is keeping Pemex from advancing to find the oil deep under the Gulf and under ground.

Mexico has been one of the top oil exporting countries of the world, and there is a great pride found in the 1938 law removing any and all foreign investors (because of this, March 18 is a civic holiday). But now as Pemex, Mexico's top oil company, has found itself slowing production by immense amounts, people are starting to worry about the future of Mexico's oil industry. Canterell, Mexico's largest oil field, has dropped production by about 50% in the past years, and many people are afraid that Mexico, who takes in 30 to 40 percent of their national revenue from oil, will be forced to start importing oil in the next decade.

Many researchers believe that the oil is there, beneath the land and deep in the Gulf of Mexico, but Premex just doesn't have the technological necessities or the money to reach it. Extracting oil from deep beneath the ocean is costly and risky, most companies find partners to share the financial risk with. The problem is that the Mexican constitution does not allow foreign investors to take any profit from oil they help find so no foreign partners are given any incentive to help. One water rig from deep in the ocean can cost $365 million a year to operate, and without outside help, Mexico's oil industry is going to suffer even greater catastrophe.

President Calderon has made some reforms to help Pemex and the oil industry, but the nationalistic view that the people have of Mexico's 1938 law, and the wish to keep foreign business out has stalled much of Mexico's needed technological advancement. Pemex has long been "a symbol of nationalism and sovereignty", but with this lag in oil production, it might cause Mexico to go into an even worse economic recession.

This article is important to look at in Comparative Government because it refers to Mexico's national belief in the Dependency theory, that foreign business and investors need to be kept out so that local and state businesses can develop. This also poses as a huge economic problem for Mexico. If one of it's main sources of revenue goes under, than the following economic crash will cause major civic unrest and political upheaval. it will be important to see how this plays out, and how the government deals with the problems of the drug war, growing poor population, and weakening of legitimacy that would follow an even bigger economic panic.

Northern Mexcian Cops in Protest

This recent New York Times Article, Northern Mexico Cops Protest After Ambush Kills 3, addresses the demands of a disgruntled police force in the city of San Nicolas de la Garza. After the death of three of their colleague the police force went on strike until certain provisions were granted. Some of the provisions demanded are high-powered weapons to match the firepower of the drug gangs, bulletproof vests, and life insurance.

However, the immersion of these new demands are slowed because of collusion of municipalities with the drug gangs. Police forces in the state have been forbidden to carry cell phones, to prevent tip offs to the gangs about federal raids. There have been cases where local police, wielding automatic weapons, interfere with federal agents attempting to arrest drug suspects. In any regards, the disgruntled feelings of a battered police force are now coming to surface in these strikes.

This article is relevant to compartivists studying government because it addresses societal whims in particular with the police force. The government loses a shed of legitimacy when its police force is disgruntled and drug cartel gangsters control not only the streets but some of the police force as well. However, police forces participating in strikes shows that citizens are free to question their government's motives, and voice their concerns. This kind of transparency is imperative to a liberal democracy.

Los Nacrocorridos and the Drug War

The New York Times article, Minstrels in the Court of the Kingpin, talks about how narcocorridos, which are controversial songs, usually ballads, that glorify drug lords and drug violence, are affecting peoples outlook and how the government has responded to this type of music.

The article talks about Los Tucanes, a famous band in Mexico that has made many "unofficial" nacrocorridos that are tributes to Mr. Lopez, a high ranking member of the Tijuana drug cartel. These nacrocorridos have become more and more popular, especially in cities where drug violence is most prominent, and killings have become a daily part of life. George Castaneda, a former foreign secretary of Mexico says, “the corridos are attempts by Mexican society to come to terms with the world around them, and drug violence is a big part of that world."

But, these songs have been banned from the radio and, in January, "the country’s ruling party drew up a congressional proposal to issue prison sentences of up to three years to artists who glorify traffickers in songs or films." The government, and other supporters of reform, see these songs as detrimental to societies trying to fight the drug cartels because it normalizes violence and drugs and makes them feel like a more permanent part of life.

This issue brings to question Mexican citizens right to freedom of speech and how secure their Civil Rights are if ballads and movies can be banned from being shown and heard because of their content; and people can be jailed for things they say in movies and songs.

Mexico bills allows privatization of oil

This article from chron.com Deals lag, as does Mexico's oil output deals with Mexico not being able to access most of its oil in the Gulf of Mexico because the company Pemex doesn't have the technology for exploration. A recently passed bill will allow Pemex to make deals with foreign companies for oil exploration. This is a big deal, because oil in Mexico was previously state operated. But so far, Pemex hasn't made any deals, so oil production has slumped.

As a country that is seeking democratization, this bill is very important. The privatization of this market will allow the people of Mexico to benefit more from their natural resources since they will be able to get to them. This article also shows that reform in Mexico is slow and has much resistance, since the passing of this bill still has not allowed Pemex to access the oil

Gay Marriage in Mexico

The article, Gay Marriage Puts Mexico City at Center of Debate, from the New York Times, talks about the gay rights movement in Mexico and how the national government feels about gay marriage vs. the local government.

Mexico City is a liberal "enclave" in the largely conservative country, and after 30 years of activism, Mexico City passed on Dec. 22, 2009, a new law which goes into effect March 4, that will legalize gay marriage and allow same-sex couples to adopt. This has brought Mexico City onto the big stage of the global gay rights movement, and has brought with it much anger and opposition within Mexico. Mexico's National Action Party did an "unscientific poll" and found "just over half of the respondents disapproved of gay marriage and about three-quarters opposed adoption by same-sex couples." This and the apparent disapproval of this new law in Mexico City by the President and national government, show how large the cleavage between Mexico City's views and the rest of Mexico is. The Catholic Church has gotten itself involved and many groups have asked the government to intervene in Mexico City's decision. This was a huge “political gamble” for Mexico City’s mayor, Marcelo Ebrard who was thinking about running for president in 2012, his liberal views are not popular throughout Mexico. The article goes on to talk about other Latin American countries and how reform has been growing across Latin America, “Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador and Colombia all recognize some form of civil unions.”

This is a topic that has found its way into every country, and is important to look at when comparing the amount of civil rights given to a country’s people. This issue shows the ideological cleavage between the minority liberals in Mexico, to the obvious majority of conservatives. Public policy also comes into play with this discussion, allowing gay marriages in Mexico City and the national government not abusing its powers to get this new law out, are steps forward in a democratic nation whether you personally agree with gay marriage or not.

Mexican Military Offensive Against Drug Violence Ineffective

In the Time article How Mexico's Drug War May Become Its Iraq, Ioan Grillo describes Mexico's efforts to curtail drug violence throughout the country, and how its citizens do not have confidence in the military presence. Violence has only increased recently, with January being the bloodiest month in the drug war. The military has also been criticized for only targeting some drug cartels, which strengthens rival cartels. In a poll, half of Mexicans believed the government involvement had only increased the violence, while only 20% thought it had made the country safer. The United States has made agreements with Mexico to work together on security

Comparativists should look at this article to examine citizens, society and the state. Mexico is in the position of having to use its military against its own people. The violence is not aimed at the government and is not political in nature, but the organized crime has gotten so out of control that it must be dealt with like a full on war. This is proving difficult for the military to control, since a drug cartels goal is to evade the soldiers to continue with illegal activity, as opposed to a front in a war.

Drug Wars Hinder Juarez Economy

The recent economic woes in Juarez perpetuated by the Mexican drug wars is addressed in the BBC article Border city of Juarez pays price of Mexico drugs war. Up to 100,000 people and 5,000 shops have been forced out of the city of Juarez since the escalation of the drug war in 2006. President Felipe Calderon announced for "the creation of a task force to draw up a new economic plan for the city." With 45% of the GDP of Chihuahua produced by the city of Juarez, and more than "300 maquiladoras - the factories that reassemble imported material and then export the finished product, mainly to the US - in and around the city", it is easy to see how pertinent of an economic threat the drug war can pose, especially when coupled with the impact of a retarding American economy.

As if financial issues were not enough for business owners, Juarez is also notorious for cases of extortion. Head of Juarez's local chamber of commerce, Daniel Murguia, claims that business owners have to succumb to this threat because "there is no institution that helps them."

This article is relevant to our comparative government class because it addresses the deteriorating civic culture in Juarez because of the economic woes. With a lower standard of living induced by the recession and violence and the constant threat of extortion, citizens not only feel unsafe but as well begin to question the means of authority of the government. It will be interesting to see how Calderon will be able to address the citizens discontent with his new economic agenda.

New Plan for Ciudad Juarez

The article A "dying" city protests from The Economist this past week talks about Mexico's war on drugs and what actions the president has taken to improve the situation.

On February 11th president Felipe Calderon went to the crime infested Ciudad Juarez for a public safety meeting. Ciudad Juarez is Mexico's 5th largest city and is " the world's deadliest city outside a war zone." Mr. Calderon did not get a very warm welcome in Juarez because of the continued rate of violence in the city after three years of the president saying he was combating the drug gangs, and because of the lack of efficiency of the troops sent to stop the violence and murders. The president visited the city again on the 17th seeking to "make amends" for calling the 18 teenagers who were recently murdered at a party "gangsters". This second visit is important because, "although polls showed initial skepticism towards his plan and his visit, on his second trip his talks with community groups suggested broad agreement on the new strategy."

The President's new "emergency plan" calls for an increase of police along with social and economic reforms which are necessary to diminish the power of the drug gangs in the community. These reforms include "investment in health, education, child care and sports facilities." The recession has left many people out of work and out of school, they don't have many alternatives to joining the gangs which is a major problem the president is trying to face in his new plan. New schools, more hospitals, more parks and more cultural facilities need to be built to help Ciudad Juarez grow away from the drug gangs.

Ciudad Juarez's police has been seen as corrupt, and police lines were recently tapped, giving the drug gangs dangerous information. Also, the troops that were sent to the city are not liked by the citizens because of the many illegal searches and overall lack of good they have done. Hopefully much of this will change after these new plans are put in place and real reform will be seen in Ciudad Juarez.

This article is important for Comparativists to look at because it shows public policy in Mexico and it will be important to see how these policies are enacted and how effective they are. This is also important because of the large impact this war on drugs has on the lives of people living in Mexico, and these new reforms could mean a more prominent and active civil society in Ciudad Juarez and Northern Mexico.

Housing US prisoners in Mexico jails

BBC News article: Schwarzenegger proposes Mexican jails take US inmates

Governor of the U.S. state of California Arnold Schwarzenegger suggested that special prisons in Mexico be built partially with U.S. money. The governor declared a state of fiscal emergency in California, where the prisons are some of the most crowded and underfunded in the United States. Building prisons and housing inmates would be a lot cheaper in Mexico than in California, saving an estimated billion dollars.

Several areas of this article relate to concepts in comparative government. The proposed partnership between the United States and Mexico in housing prisoners is a result of political and economic change. California has limited resources and is overcrowded, while Mexico is in need of money for their economy

Drug War Obscures Recent Headway in Mexico's Stability

photo courtesy of flickr

The drug wars that have been plaguing Mexico since 2006 obscure a falling homicide rate, as addressed in this CNN article: Amid Drug War, Mexico Less Deadly Than a Decade Ago. It is surprising to find that Mexico City's homicide rates are on par with Los Angeles and a third of that for Washington D.C. Yet Americans are more weary than ever to visit Mexico; a blow to tourism, Mexico's third-largest source of foreign income. According to the article "Mexico's homicide rate has fallen steadily from a high in 1997 of 17 per 100,000 people to 14 per 100,000 in 2009." However, dually noted, the article does admit that the drug violence has turned the Pacific coast, and U.S. border regions of Mexico into some of the most deadliest places in the world.

So how exactly has the homicide rate dropped in the presence of an increase in drug violence? Well, land disputes have eased as farmers migrate to cities or abroad leaving the civic unrest of the Zapatista uprisings of the 1990s behind. In light of a decreased homicide rate attributed to a improvement in the Mexican quality of life, Mexico looks more dangerous than ever to tourists with the looming reminder of drug wars.

This article is valid in our comparative government class because it presents an interesting fact: the Mexican quality of life has improved over the decade amidst the drug wars. It also addresses a period of civic unrest in Mexican history, that is the Zapatista uprisings of farmers, which was not surprisingly followed by a change of politics and a new level of legitamacy ushered in by Vicente Fox. Equally as pertinent, Mexico has had a growing middle class and rising education levels and life expectancy. All these things are critical to a democracy; however if these traits are prerequisites to democracy, or rather the outcomes of democracy is debatable.

A Mexican Cult

The Economist article, A Mexican Cult: Death in holy orders is about the cult of Holy Death that has been rising in popularity throughout Mexico. Santa Muerte (Saint Death) is not actually considered a Saint by the Church, but "some 2m Mexicans are said to worship [her]." Santa Muerte is depicted as a skeleton holding a scythe and a globe, and wearing a hood and tunic. She is believed to be the protector of both the law-abiders and criminals, so she is popular in many jails, and she is also often shown smoking a joint and accepts offerings of tequila and beer.

Bishop's in Mexico have deemed this cult as satanic, and the government has withdrawn official recognition from churches that recognize and incorporate Santa Muerte. This, and the fact that the government has destroyed about 30 altars devoted to Santa Muerte on the grounds that they were suspected in drug trafficking, has made many followers angry and rallies were held in Mexico City demanding religious freedom.

This article is interesting to look at in Comparative Politics, because it brings up the question of Legitimacy. If the people think that the government is taking away their freedom of religion than that will raise questions as to how democratic Mexico is, and people will wonder how real their Civil Rights actually are.

Mexico Economy Rides on Drugs

From Spas to Banks, Mexico Economy Rides on Drugs

This article from The New York Times describes the economy of mexico and how it benefits from the drug trade. Several Mexican pharmaceutical companies have been accused of laundering money to drug cartels, such as the titular one that was accused of supplying chemicals to make meth amphetamines. Mexico made more money in 2009 from drug exports than from oil exports, which is its single largest export. All over the country, luxury boutiques, high end real estate and even hospitals are being bought with drug money.

This article pertains to concepts we've been studying in many ways. An economy that is fueled by an illegal industry is a sign of corruption. If police officers were to turn a blind eye to drug trades in Mexico because of money from cartels, then the government would be less legitimate.

Mexico City Gay Marriage Law

In a recent New York Times article, Mexico City Mayor Vows to Defend Gay Marriage Law, the validity and enforcement of a same sex marriage law is addressed. Mexico City Mayor Marcelo Ebrard (this name should sound familiar, he was one of the presidential hopefuls mentioned in my previous blog post) says "he will defend the capital's gay-marriage law and insists the ordinance will take effect in March".

Mexican federal prosecutors feel differently however--the federal Attorney General's Office has filed an appeal, bringing the legitimacy of the law to the scrutiny of the Supreme Court. The prosecutors argue that the law "violates constitutional provisions on the family and the protection of children".

This controversial law is valid of mention in our Comparative Government class in many ways. Firstly, Mexico's heavy Catholic influence and typical Conservative view towards gay-marriage is in contrast to this new progressive law that is the first of its kind for all of Latin America. It is surprising that this law was enacted amidst a civic culture that does not typically advocate same sex marriage. However, equally pertinent, the article addresses an appeal to the Supreme Court to judge upon the constitutionality of a law--sounds an awful lot like judicial review. As well, the Judicial courts of Mexico are fairly insulated from the Executive, so the law will not be negated because of federal opposition coupled with a federal control of the Judiciary. When looking at the standpoint of the Judicial System of Mexico, Mexico is looking very much like a liberal democracy.

Internal safety of Mexico: the Drug Violence

Gun attack at Mexico student party leaves 13 dead
This article from BBC News talks about a shooting at a high school party in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. The attack is assumed to be drug related because Ciudad Juarez is next to a main drug smuggling route into the United States; though there is no immediate connection between the party and the drug cartels. According to witnesses, four SUVs drove up to the house and about fifteen people with guns stormed the party shooting mercilessly into the crowd of kids. The dead are between 15 and 20 years old. Eleven children died and two adults died, many more were injured.
The government has sent 45,000 troops and extra police to fight the violence that has fumed all across the country. The murders and attacks have become daily occurrences in many regions of Mexico, and though the troops and officials have lessened some of the violence, there are still large amounts of attacks and killings that make life, economic and political stability hard to hold onto in Mexico.
For Comparative Government, these attacks and murders are important to look at in discussing Sovereignty, Authority and Power in Mexico and in looking at Citizens Society and the State. The shooting at this high school party in Ciudad Juarez, and all of the shootings and violence that have occurred, have effected the quality of life in Mexico, and the feeling of security among it's citizens. This hurts the civil society because it makes people feel unsafe and less like a community. It also effects the legitimacy of the government, because it's people do not feel like the government is acting effectively to protect them, and in many cases citizens know of or believe there to be corruption in the police and in the government. This war on drugs is very important to look at in Comparative Government for all of these social and political reasons.

This article from the BBC describes drug cartel violence in Mexico. In a prison in Durango, a brawl broke out between inmates that were members of rival drug cartels, killing 23. The state of Durango has been the site of numerous drug related violence between two rival cartels. Mexican president Felipe Calderon has declared war on the drug cartels violence in Northern Mexico and has dispatched 40,000 troops.

This event demonstrates concepts in citizens, society, and the state. The government took measures using the military to control citizens. Rival drug cartels created excessive violence that affected innumerable others, so in a way civilians were creating their own war.

Mexico President Race

The innovative, new presidential hopefuls are addressed in the NY Times article Mexico President Race Could Look Like Soap Opera.


Mexican president incumbent, Felipe Calderon, has been plagued by a brutal drug war since he took office in 2006 and no one from his conservative National Action Party appeals as a strong successor for the looming 2012 elections. However, Pena Nieto of the Industrial Revolutionary Party and Ebrard, of the Democratic Revolution Party, stand as ambitious presidential hopefuls.


Both of these hailed playboys rely on eccentric and flamboyant attempts to gain media attention (like appearing on TV with soap opera stars) but this seems to be the only commonality that these politicians share. Left wing Ebrard is sympathetic to unions, a defender of abortion rights, and champions higher taxes for welfare reform; while Right sided Nieto in contrast has sent police forces to bust up union protests, has supported abortion bans, and believes infrastructure is the key to social welfare reform. These juxtaposing politicians, if elected, seem to have ambitious plans for Mexico.


This article is pertinent to the concepts of Comparative Government as it shows Mexico slowly casting aside its stigma as an illiberal democracy. Ruled for 71 years by the single party policies of the IRP, Mexico now looks like a more solidified democracy as it allows the people more than a single party to be fairly voted into office. As well, this article shows how the media puts more emphasis on what sells the papers versus important political information--this NY Times article spent as much time addressing the presidential hopefuls' policies as it did their controversial private life and love affairs.

The next Antonio Banderas? Nope, this is the suave presidential hopeful Pena Nieto
(Photo courtesy of Flickr.com)

Recession in Mexico

A Different Type of Recession is an article from the Economist, it talks about how the global recession has affected Mexico and what this will mean for Mexico’s future.

Mexico's market economy is still heavily under development. Mexico has both a developing industrial market in the north, and a largely agricultural economy in the south. Globalization has helped Mexico industrialize and grow. NAFTA, the North American free trade agreement, shows how globalization has connected Mexico economically with the United States.
This recent recession is taking longer for Mexico to overcome than the crash Mexico saw in 1995. This time the United States can’t help bail Mexico out and Mexico’s industries are suffering. Mexico City and other major cities in Mexico have not been affected as badly as the smaller manufacturing and industrial cities have. Because the United States' consumption of goods from northern Mexico's industrial plants has slowed down so much, the manufacturing cities and labor jobs have been hit hard. NAFTA has made Mexico dependent on the United States, the manufacturing plants and investments by the U.S. has become a crutch for Mexico that has suddenly become too short.

But the daily life of businesses and people in the hustle and bustle of major cities has been relatively unaffected because of the lack of inflation. Government subsidies also saved many workers from becoming unemployed and some people are able to dip into their retirement funds and savings accounts. Of course this does not mean that everyone living and working in the major cities have not seen tragedy. The poorer sections of major cities have seen much poverty, families have to sell property and farm animals to pay for food to eat.

The agricultural economy in Southern Mexico, the poorest part of the country has not seen much change during this recession. The farmers are still able to farm, and didn’t have too many economic ties with the industrial cities who are crashing the most. Thankfully, the regular agricultural exports are still running as usual.

Swine Flu also affected the economy, making the crash that much harder to bear. The lack of tourists to pump money into the coastal cities, and the shut down of Mexico City for a week weakened the economy enough for the global recession to hurt that much more. Mexico’s oil industry is buckling under as well. The government used to not have to tax heavily because of the inflow of money from oil profits, but now, higher taxes are going to have to be placed on the already stressed incomes of Mexicans.