Transcript Government in Mexico

Government in Mexico
Keep in mind
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How are the USA and Mexico similar?
How are they different?
How can they cooperate to solve problems?
In what areas do they compete?
Padre Hidalgo
• After Napoleon
captured Spain in 1808,
criollos began to cry for
independence
• Even after Hidalgo’s
execution, the power of
the Grito de Dolores led
to victory in 1821.
Independent Northern America
• Led by General Morelos,
criollos and metitzo
leaders assembled at
Oaxaca to declare
independence in 1813.
• Mexico extended from
the Californias to
Panama at
independence.
Early Governments
• Agustin de Iturbide made
himself emperor in 1821, but
was overthrown in 1824.
• The 1824 Constitution was
based on separation of powers,
liberal and federal. However,
the President had more power
than Congress…
Santa Ana
• Originally a reformer, Santa
Ana declared marital law in
1835, prompting rebellions
in Zacatecas and Tejas.
Texan forces captured
Santa Ana at San Jacincto
and gained independence.
Mexico loses over ½ of it’s
land over the next 22 years
of Santa Ana’s rule
The Caudillo
• Through much of
the 1800’s and early
1900’s, Mexico had
caudillos, strong
military leaders
instead of a
constitutional
government
• Huerta, Villa and
Zapata led a
movement to
constitutional
government.
The 1917 Constitution pt 1
• Current Constitution of Mexico
– Article 1 Prohibits discrimination
– Article 2 Recognizes “native title”
– Article 3 Free and compulsory education in elementary &
all state education must be free
– Article 4 Right to health, housing and children
– Article 5 Freedom to chose work
– Article 6 Freedom of speech
– Article 7 Freedom of the press
– Article 8 Peaceful protests allowed
– Article 9 Freedom of Assembly and association
– Article 10 Right to own Army approved guns
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The 1917 Constitution pt 2
Article 11 Right to Free Passage of Citizens
Articles 12&13 No nobility, private courts
Article 14 Right to Due Process, no Ex Post Facto Laws
Article 15 Restricts extradition to foreign countries
Article 16 Citizens arrest if “in flagrante delicto”
Article 17 Justice must be speedy, no vigilantes
Article 19 Habeus Corpus, separate charges for separate
offenses, humane prisons
Article 20 Right to remain silent
Article 22 No death or mutilation penalties
Article 27 No foreign land ownership on coasts/borders
Article 123 Eight hour work day, right to strike
Current Structure
• Federal Government over 31 states
• 3 Branches
– President serves a single, 6 year term
– 500 member “Deputies” and 128 “Senators”
• Deputies and Senators limited to one term
– 11 Supreme Court justices serve 15 year terms
– What kinds of benefits/problems might term
limits present to the Mexican government?
Mexican States
Political Parties
• 3 Main Political Parties
– PRI
– PAN
– PRD
from 1929 to 2000 all Presidents were PRI
Conservatives, first took Pres. In 2000
Socialists, lost 2006 election by 0.58%
– Parties are allowed to form coalitions to improve
chances of winning, and all “2%+” parties receive
representation in the Deputies
Foreign Relations
• Most Free Trade Agreements
(15) worldwide
– Close ties to USA, EU and South
America
• Military draft for all males over
18yrs by lottery
– Military is about 650,000 strong
– First nation to send aid to New
Orleans after Hurricane Katrina
Emigration and Immigration Issues
• Mexico sheltered escaped US slaves in 1800’s
• Mexico deports about 150,000 illegal immigrants
per year (mostly Central Americans and Chinese)
• Trafficking in women for prostitution is rampant
• 6-7 million Mexicans live illegally in the USA
– Of 1.1 million legal immigrants per year, Mexicans
make up 18%, the twice the next largest group
• The vast majority come from poor areas of Mexico
US-Mex Economy Comparison
Mexico
USA
• Free Market Economy of 1.3
trillion GDP/yr
• Average annual gross income
$6143 (USD)
– 78th of 216 states and
territories worldwide
• 3.7% unemployment rate
– About 25% of Mexicans are
underemployed
• Major exporter of finished
manufacturing goods, oil,
fruits/vegetables, cotton, coffee
• Ave month net teacher salary
$1018
• Free Market Economy of 13.84 trillion
GDP/yr
• Average annual gross income $42028
(USD)
– 6th of 216 states and territories
worldwide
– 1) Luxembourg, 2)Kuwait, 3) Norway, 4)
Brunei, 5) Singapore
• 4.6% unemployment rate
• 49% of US exports are capital goods
like manufacturing machinery
• US imports more than $100 billion in
goods/services from Mexico annually
• Ave month net teacher salary $4055
Cooperation and Competition
• What are 3 areas in which the United States
and Mexico can cooperate to solve mutual
problems?
• What are 3 areas in which it makes sense for
the United States to compete with Mexico,
and vice versa?