Mexico State’s Economic and Political Transition: From Entrepreneurial State to State of Entrepreneurs

Abstract

Mexico is a highly centralized country with a powerful government, no reelection or, until recently, strong, open political competition. Since independence and for the last two centuries the dominant political system in Mexico has been authoritarian and presidential. Starting with the governments emerging from the Mexican Revolution (1910-17), it settled on a system of dictatorship in which the dominant party monopolized political representation and a deformed presidency. Krauze denominated the Imperial Presidency, weakening the legislature’s ability to carry out its functions and duties, and diminishing judicial power. Various forms of patriarchal power represent yet another feature of the Mexican government before and after the Mexican Revolution.