Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-dzt6s Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-23T15:09:30.018Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Political Reformism in Mexico: Salinas at the Brink*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Stephen D. Morris
Stephen D. Morris*
Affiliation:
University of Alabama, Instituto de Estúdios Económicos y Regionales, University of Guadalajara
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Extract

Despite the Mexican regime's track record of adaptiveness, the 1980s seemingly altered the nature of political reform there. Secular, conjunctural, and policy trends attenuated traditional reformist mechanisms (i.e. the regime's capacity to co-opt, or corruption's “lubricating” potential), exposing a series of wrenching political dilemmas and potentially zero-sum equations. The watershed presidential election of July 1988 and the continuing challenge posed by Cuauhtemoc Cardenas Solórzano's PRD (Parttdo de la Revolutión Democrática) both reflected and crystallized these quandaries, magnifying the need and inherent dangers of reforming the one-party system. Yet during the ensuing years, and contrary to unwieldy predictions and scenarios, the regime neither unraveled (see Wiarda 1988/89), capitulated before a Cárdenas-led electoral or revolutionary front, nor stagnated. Instead it rebounded, raising new questions about Mexico's political future.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Interamerican Studies and World Affairs , Volume 34 , Issue 1 , Spring 1992 , pp. 27 - 58
Copyright
Copyright © University of Miami 1992

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Footnotes

*

This article is a revised version of a paper presented at the XVI International Congress of die Latin American Studies Association, Washington (DC), April 1991. The author wishes to thank anonymous reviewers of the JIASWA for their helpful comments; revisions were completed while author was serving as Fulbright lecturer at the University of Guadalajara.

References

Acosta, C (1989) “En la modemizadón, motor del sexenio, ha cabido hasta el ajuste de cuentas.” Proceso 678 (30 October): 6–13.Google Scholar
Alcocer, V. J. (1990) “Salinas y su pronasol.” Proceso 719 (13 August): 36–38.Google Scholar
America's Watch (1990) Human Rights in Mexico: A Policy of Impunity. New York, NY: America's Watch.Google Scholar
Anders, C. (1989a) “The Electoral Numbers Game.” Mexico Journal (17 July): 7.Google Scholar
Anders, C. (1989b) “Premodern Politics.” Mexico Journal (24 July): 7.Google Scholar
Aziz Nassif, A. (1991) “La fragilidad de la democracia.” Semanal 113 (11 August): 20–24.Google Scholar
Bailey, J. (1988) Governing Mexico: The Statecraft of Crisis Management. New York, NY: St. Martin's Press.Google Scholar
Bailey, J. (1987) “Can the PRI be Reformed? Decentralizing Candidate Selection,” pp. 63–94 in Gentleman, Judith (ed.) Mexican Politics in Transition. Boulder, CO: Westview Press.Google Scholar
Basanez, M. (1991) “Encuestra electoral 1991.” Este País 5 (August): 3–6.Google Scholar
Beltran del Rio, P. (1990a) “En las elecdones internas en el estado de México, los priistas vuelven a defraudarse.” Proceso 725 (24 September): 14–19.Google Scholar
Beltran del Rio, P. (1990b) “Solidaridad, oxigeno para el PRI, en el rescate de votos.” Proceso 718 (6 August): 8–11.Google Scholar
Beltran del Rio, P. (1990c) “División de priistas, que se culpan ya de la derrota en el estado de México.” Proceso 731 (5 November): 10–13.Google Scholar
Beltran del Rio, P. (1990d) “El COFIPE, ‘triunfo de México,’ dijo Salinas: el control del elecciones sigue igual.” Proceso 716 (23 July): 18–19.Google Scholar
Beltran del Rio, P. (1990e) “El alcalde perredista de Morelia: pretenden los del PRI que no logremos gobernar.” Proceso 697 (12 March): 14–19.Google Scholar
Beltran del Rio, P. (1990f) “En su estudio, el PRI previa la pérdida de 49 municipios del estado de México ante el PRD.” Proceso 732 (12 November): 16–17.Google Scholar
Beltran del Rio, P. (1989) “Las elecdones en Michoacán, reedición de las de julio de 1988.” (4 December): 11–15.Google Scholar
Benjamin, T. (1984) “The Mexican Left since 1968.” Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Rocky Mountain Council of Latin American Studies, Tucson (AR), March.Google Scholar
BUENDIA LAREDO, J. and Behar, Zuckermann (1991) “Esce-narios.” Nexos (August): 81.Google Scholar
Camp, R. (1987) “Opposition in Mexico: A Comparison of Leadership,” pp. 235–256 in Gendeman, J. (ed.) Mexican Politics in Transition. Boulder, CO: Westview Press.Google Scholar
Carr, B. (1989) “The Left and its Potential Role in Political Change,” pp. 367–387 in Cornelius, Wayne, Gentleman, J., and Smith, P. (eds.) Mexico's Alternative Political Futures. La Jolla, CA: University of California-San Diego, Center for US-Mexican Studies.Google Scholar
Castaneda, J. (1991) “Cartas marcadas.” Proceso (5 August): 36–37.Google Scholar
Castaneda, J. (1990) “La educación política del sexenio.” Proceso 732 (12 November): 32–34.Google Scholar
Chavez, E. (1990a) “Exhorta la corriente crítica a desconocer dirigentes, incluido Colosio, si es necesario.” Proceso 695 (26 February): 6–9.Google Scholar
Chavez, E. (1990b) “La asamblea del PRI seáa una farsa: Córdoba Montoya elaboró ya las conclusiones: González Guevara.” Proceso 721 (27 August): 10–13.Google Scholar
Consejo Consultivo del Programa Nacional de Solidaridad (1991) Solidaridad a debate. Mexico (DF), Mexico: El Nacional.Google Scholar
Cornelius, W. (1987) “Political Liberalization in an Authoritarian Regime: Mexico, 1976-1985,” pp. 15–40 in Gentleman, J. (ed.) Mexican Politics in Transition. Boulder CO: Westview Press.Google Scholar
Cornelius, W., Gentleman, J., and Smith, P. (eds.) (1989) “Overview: The Dynamics of Political Change in Mexico,” pp. 1–54 in Cornelius, W., Gentleman, J. and Smith, P. (eds.) Mexico's Alternative Political Futures. La Jolla, CA: University of California-San Diego, Center for US-Mexican Studies.Google Scholar
Dresser, D. (1991) “Neopopulist Solutions to Neoliberal Problems: Mexico's National Solidarity Program.” (Current Issues Brief 3). La Jolla, CA: University of California-San Diego, Center for US-Mexican Studies.Google Scholar
Eckstein, S. (1990) “Formal Versus Substantive Democracy: Poor People's Politics in Mexico City.” Mexican Studies/Esrudios Mexi-canos 6, 2: 213–239.Google Scholar
Foweraker, J. (1990) “Popular Movement and Political Change in Mexico,” pp. 3–20 in Foweraker, Joe and Craig, Ann (eds.) Popular Movements and Political Change in Mexico. Boulder, CO: Lynne Rienner Publishers.Google Scholar
Foweraker, J. (1989) “Popular Movements and the Transformation of the System,” pp. 109–130 in Cornelius, W., Gentleman, J. and Smith, P. (eds.) Mexico's Alternative Political Futures. La Jolla, CA: University of California-San Diego, Center for US-Mexican Studies.Google Scholar
Galarza, G. (1990) “El alcalde panista de SLP: los golpes del gobierno estatal, por abajo.” Proceso 697 (12 March): 18–19.Google Scholar
Garrido, L. (1991) “La ingeniería electoral.” La Jornada (9 August): 8 Google Scholar
Guillen Lopez, T. (1989) “Social Bases of the PRI,” pp. 243–264 in Cornelius, W., Gentleman, J. and Smith, P. (eds.) Mexico's Alternative Political Futures. La Jolla, CA: University of California-San Diego, Center for US-Mexican Studies.Google Scholar
Gómez, L. (n.d.) “La reforma del PRI y la selectión de candidates.” (Unpublished manuscript).Google Scholar
Hansen, R. (1971) The Politics of Mexican Development. Baltimore, MD: The Johns Hopkins Press.Google Scholar
Hellman, J. (1988) “Continuity and Change in Mexico.” Latin American Research Review 23, 2: 133–156.Google Scholar
Hernandez, L. (1986) “The SNTE and the Teachers’ Movement, 1982-1984,” pp. 59–74 in Carr, Barry and Montoya, Ricardo Anzaldúa (eds.) The Mexican Left, the Popular Movements and the Politics of Austerity (Monograph series 18). La Jolla, CA: University of California-San Diego, Center for US-Mexican Studies.Google Scholar
Hinojosa, J. (1991) “Televisa priista.” Proceso 770 (5 August): 34–35.Google Scholar
Ibarra, M. and Corro, S. (1990) “El PRONASOL, medio de liquidatión del federalismo.” Proceso 730 (29 October): 11–13.Google Scholar
Juarez, A. (1990) “El PRI introdujo computadoras en la alquimia y la convirtió en ingeniería electoral.” Proceso 732 (12 November): 12–15.Google Scholar
(La) Jornada (1991a) 26 August: 5.Google Scholar
(La) Jornada (1991b) 23 August: 12, 14.Google Scholar
(La) Jornada (1991c) 22 August: 3 and 10.Google Scholar
(La) Jornada (1991d) 11 August: 8.Google Scholar
(La) Jornada (1990) 14 June: 5.Google Scholar
Karl, T (1990) “Dilemmas of Democratization in Latin America.” Comparative Politics 23 (October): 1–21.Google Scholar
Knight, A. (1990) “Historical Continuities in Social Movements,” pp. 78–102 in Foweraker, and Craig, (eds.) Popular Movements and Political Change in Mexico. Boulder, CO: Lynne Rienner Publishers.Google Scholar
Latin American Weekly Report (LAWR) (1990a) “Some Reform, But Same Old Rhetoric.” (20 September): 4–5.Google Scholar
Latin American Weekly Report (LAWR) (1990b) “Democratic Era Off to a Dodgy Start.” (13 September): 2–3.Google Scholar
Latin American Weekly Report (LAWR) (1990c) “State Police Turn on PRD Demonstrators.” (15 March): 8.Google Scholar
Latin American Weekly Report (LAWR) (1990d) “PRD Says Killings Are Part of Plan.” (8 February): 11.Google Scholar
Latin American Weekly Report (LAWR) (1989a) “PRI, PRD Clash in Michoacán.” (31 August): 8.Google Scholar
Latin American Weekly Report (LAWR) (1989b) “Backfire for PRI in Michoacán Election.” (3 August): 10–11.Google Scholar
Latin American Weekly Report (LAWR) (1989c) “PAN Victory Marks Breakthrough.” (20 July): 10–11.Google Scholar
Meyer, L. (1989) “Democratization of the PRI: Mission Impossible?” pp. 325–350 in Cornelius, W., Gentleman, J. and Smith, P. (eds.) Mexico's Alternative Political Futures. La Jolla, CA: University of California-San Diego, Center for US-Mexican Studies.Google Scholar
Meyer, L. (1981) “La encrucijada,” pp. 1273–1356 in El Colegio de Mexico (ed.) Historia General de México, Tomo 2 (3rd ed.). Mexico City, México: El Colegio de Mexico.Google Scholar
Middlebrook, K. (1989a) “The Sounds of Silence: Organized Labour's Response to Economic Crisis in Mexico.” Journal of Latin American Studies 21, 2: 195–220.Google Scholar
Middlebrook, K. (1989b) “The CTM and the Future of Government-Labor Relations,” pp. 291–306 in Cornelius, W., Gentleman, J. and Smith, P. (eds.) Mexico's Alternative Political Futures. La Jolla, CA: University of California-San Diego, Center for US-Mexican Studies.Google Scholar
Middlebrook, K. (1985) “Political Liberalization in an Authoritarian Regime: The Case of Mexico.” (Research Report Series 41). La Jolla, CA: University of California-San Diego, Center for US-Mexican Studies.Google Scholar
Molinar, J. (1991) “La legitimidad pérdida.” Nexos (August): 7–10.Google Scholar
Monge, R. (1991) “Tiempo, recursos, y táctica para recuperar el Distrito Federal.” Proceso 770 (5 August): 6–9.Google Scholar
Montaño, C. and Lund, D. (1990) “Erosion of PRI Support and Credibility: Los Angeles Times Mexico Poll” (Interamerican Public Opinion Report). Los Angeles, CA: Los Angeles Times.Google Scholar
Morris, S. (1991) Corruption and Politics in Contemporary Mexico. Tuscaloosa, AL: University of Alabama Press.Google Scholar
Nevaer, L. (1990) “Mexico's Heartland Hit by Growing Political Turmoil.” Times of the Americas (18 April-2 May): 35.Google Scholar
New York Times (1990a) 22 May: 15.Google Scholar
New York Times (1990b) 7 March: 6.Google Scholar
New York Times (1989) 3 July: 12.Google Scholar
New York Times (1988a) 31 October: 16.Google Scholar
New York Times (1988b) 24 October: 4.Google Scholar
New York Times (1988c) 22 October: 2.Google Scholar
Nexos (1992) “Encuestalia, Nexos con la opiniön pública, el nivel de vida: mejoría y deterioro.” Volume 170: 83–85.Google Scholar
Novedades (1989a) 20 December: 18.Google Scholar
Novedades (1989b) 14 December: 22.Google Scholar
Ortega Pizarro, F. (1990) “El Pronasol anula gobernadores, soberanía y federalismo.” Proceso 731 (5 November): 4–17.Google Scholar
Padgett, V. (1966) The Mexican Political System. Boston, MA: Houghton-Mifflin, Co. Google Scholar
Pare, L. (1990) “The Challenges of Rural Democratization in Mexico.” Development Studies 26, 4: 79–96.Google Scholar
Pastor, R. (1990) “Post-Revolutionary Mexico: The Salinas Opening.” Journal of Interamerican Studies and World Affairs 32, 3 (Fall): 1–24.Google Scholar
Proceso (1990a) (12 November): 16–17.Google Scholar
Proceso (1990b) 723 (10 September): 24–27.Google Scholar
Proceso (1990c) 718 (6 August): 10.Google Scholar
Proceso (1989) 678 (30 October): 18.Google Scholar
Reding, A. (1991) “Las elecciones en Nuevo León: ¿parteaguas o excepción?” Proceso 770 (5 August): 16–17.Google Scholar
Reyes Del Campillo, J. (1991) “Candidatos: hacia una nueva cámara.” Nexos (August): 56–59.Google Scholar
Rodriguez Araujo, O. (1991) “En la hipótesis de la ingeniería electoral.” Este Pais 5 (August): 6–9.Google Scholar
Rubin, J. (1990) “Popular Mobilization and the Myth of State Corporatism,” pp. 247–267 in Foweraker, J. and Craig, A. (eds.) Popular Movements and Political Change in Mexico. Boulder, CO: Lynne Rienner Publihers.Google Scholar
Rubin, J. (1987) “State Policies, Leftist Opposition, and Municipal Elections: The Case of the COCEI in Juchitan,” pp. 127–160 in Alvarado Mendoza, A. (ed.) Electoral Patterns and Perspectives in Mexico. La Jolla, CA: University of California-San Diego, Center for US-Mexican Studies.Google Scholar
Salomon, L. and H. CAMPA (1989) “Panistas, priístas, autoridades, todo mundo preveia la explosión política en Sinaloa.” Proceso 683 (4 December): 6–10.Google Scholar
Schneider, B. (1988-89) “Partly for Sale: Privatization and State Strength in Brazil and Mexico.” Journal of Interamerican Studies and World Affairs 30, 4 (Winter): 89–116.Google Scholar
Simon, J. (1990) “Mexican Rebels: Are They for Real?” Times of the Americas (8 August): 1.Google Scholar
Sodi De La Tijera, D. (1991) “¿POR qué ganó el PRI?” La Jornada (23 August): 8.Google Scholar
Wiarda, H. (1988-89) “Mexico: The Unraveling of a Corporatist Regime?” Journal of Interamerican Studies and World Affairs 30, 4 (Winter): 1–28.Google Scholar
Zermeño, S. (1990) “Crisis, Neoliberalism, and Disorder,” pp. 160–180 in Foweraker, J. and Craig, A. (eds.) Political Movements and Political Change in Mexico. Boulder, CO: Lynne Rienner Publishers.Google Scholar