Politics in Mexico: The Decline of Authoritarianism

Thoroughly grounded in Mexican history and based on extensive field research, this introduction to the politics of Mexico, now in its third edition, examines the roots of Mexico's contemporary political culture. Politics in Mexico not only explores the structure of government and its electoral process but also looks at the impact of the political and economic modernization since 1988 and the possibilities for Mexico's future. Completely updated throughout, this text includes the 1997 electoral data and polling material as well as expanded sections on women, drug-related corruption, the armed forces in Mexico, and nongovernmental organizations and human rights groups. A new discussion of the influence of recent congressional and judicial reforms on decision making is included as well. Comparing Mexicos political processes to those of the U.S. and other nations, Politics in Mexico also offers a far-reaching examination of American influence on domestic Mexican politics. Engaging and clearly written by one of the top scholars in the field, this text is essential reading for courses in Mexican or Latin American politics, comparative politics, and Mexican history.