APComp: Country Studies, Mexico - Presidential System, PRI Dominance, Democratic Transition, Corporatism, Cartels, USMCA

What This Means

Mexico's presidential system is a type of government where the president serves as both head of state and head of government. This system is crucial for understanding how countries are governed, as it affects the balance of power between different branches of government. For example, in the UK, the prime minister serves as head of government but is not directly elected by the people, whereas in Mexico, the president is directly elected by the people.

Key Terms & Concepts

• Presidential System: A system where the president serves as both head of state and head of government. Example: Mexico, where the president is directly elected by the people.
• Direct Election: When citizens directly elect their leaders, such as a president or prime minister. Example: Mexico, where the president is directly elected.
• Separation of Powers: A system where power is divided among different branches of government, such as the executive, legislative, and judicial. Example: The US, where the president serves as head of the executive branch, while Congress serves as the legislative branch.
• Federalism: A system where power is divided between a central government and smaller regional governments. Example: Mexico, where the federal government shares power with 31 state governments and one federal district.
• Corporatism: A system where the government works closely with large corporations and interest groups to make decisions. Example: Mexico, where the government has historically worked closely with large corporations, such as the oil company PEMEX.
• Cartels: Powerful organized crime groups that often engage in illegal activities, such as drug trafficking. Example: Mexico, where cartels have been a major problem for decades.
• USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement): A trade agreement between the US, Mexico, and Canada that aims to promote free trade and economic cooperation. Example: Mexico, which has benefited from increased trade with the US and Canada under the USMCA.
• PRI (Institutional Revolutionary Party): A dominant political party in Mexico that ruled the country for over 70 years. Example: Mexico, where the PRI was known for its authoritarian tendencies and close ties to large corporations.
• Democratic Transition: A process where a country moves from an authoritarian regime to a democratic one. Example: Mexico, which transitioned from an authoritarian regime to a democratic one in the 1990s.
• Legitimacy: The acceptance of a government or leader by its citizens. Example: Mexico, where the government has struggled to maintain legitimacy in the face of corruption and violence.

How This Works in Practice

• In Mexico, the president serves as both head of state and head of government, and is directly elected by the people.
• In the UK, a vote of no confidence can force a prime minister to resign, but the monarch still has some powers to appoint a new prime minister.
• In Mexico, the government has historically worked closely with large corporations, such as the oil company PEMEX, to make decisions.
• In the US, the president serves as head of the executive branch, while Congress serves as the legislative branch, and the Supreme Court serves as the judicial branch.
• In Mexico, the federal government shares power with 31 state governments and one federal district, which can lead to conflicts over power and resources.

Common Misunderstandings

• Misunderstanding: The PRI was a democratic party in Mexico.
• Correction: The PRI was a dominant party in Mexico that ruled the country for over 70 years, but it was not a democratic party. The PRI was known for its authoritarian tendencies and close ties to large corporations.
• Misunderstanding: The USMCA is a trade agreement between the US and Mexico.
• Correction: The USMCA is a trade agreement between the US, Mexico, and Canada, which aims to promote free trade and economic cooperation.
• Misunderstanding: Cartels are only found in Mexico.
• Correction: Cartels are found in many countries, including Mexico, but also in other countries such as Colombia and Brazil.

Quick Comparison Table or Scenarios

Scenario 1: Which country has a presidential system and direct election of the president? Answer: Mexico Explanation: Mexico has a presidential system, where the president serves as both head of state and head of government, and is directly elected by the people.

Scenario 2: Which country has a monarch who still has some powers to appoint a new prime minister? Answer: UK Explanation: In the UK, the monarch still has some powers to appoint a new prime minister, even if a vote of no confidence has forced the previous prime minister to resign.

Scenario 3: Which country has a trade agreement with the US and Canada? Answer: Mexico Explanation: Mexico has a trade agreement with the US and Canada, known as the USMCA, which aims to promote free trade and economic cooperation.

Last-Minute Exam Cram

• A presidential system is not the same as a parliamentary system – in a presidential system, the president serves as both head of state and head of government.
• The PRI was a dominant party in Mexico that ruled the country for over 70 years.
• The USMCA is a trade agreement between the US, Mexico, and Canada.
• Cartels are powerful organized crime groups that often engage in illegal activities, such as drug trafficking.
• Federalism is a system where power is divided between a central government and smaller regional governments.
• Separation of powers is a system where power is divided among different branches of government, such as the executive, legislative, and judicial.
• Legitimacy is the acceptance of a government or leader by its citizens.
• Mexico has a presidential system, where the president serves as both head of state and head of government, and is directly elected by the people.
• The UK has a parliamentary system, where the prime minister serves as head of government but is not directly elected by the people.
• The US has a presidential system, where the president serves as head of the executive branch, while Congress serves as the legislative branch.