Mexico's Faltering Democratic Transition

Dr. Stephen Lewis
History Department
CSU, Chico

For 71 years, starting in 1929, Mexico was ruled by one political party, Partido Revoluncionario Institucional (PRI). As Dr. Stephen Lewis explains, elections were held, but the outcome was not in doubt. PRIexerted almost complete control over the news media until the mid-1980s, as most newspapers relied on government advertising for over half their income. However, starting in 1976, reforms began and opposition parties arose. The 1982 election featured seven Presidential candidates. In 1997, the PRI lost its absolute majority in the Mexican legislature for the first time. In 2000, for the first time, the President did not appoint his successor. Dr. Lewis concludes that, unfortunately, Mexico’s democratic consolidation is in jeopardy today.

Recorded: September 12, 2017