History Department

History 307 – Latin America – November 3, 2003

The Mexican Revolution: A summing-up

 

I.                  The Revolution was a Success

                 A.      By 1920: Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) governs Mexico (and will govern for the rest of

                    the 20^th century)

B.      PRI insists that its loyal to the Ideals of the Revolution

C.       PRI is NOT a Communist-style, Terrorist system

D.      Limited Democracy – multiple parties; lively elections

E.      Some Civil Liberties – free press; religious freedom; separation of church/state

F.       Some economic reform

·          Limited land reform

·          1930s: Cardenas reforms (health care; pensions; worker safety)

·          slow emergence of “Middling Classes” – skilled workers; office workers; intellectuals; entrepreneurs

 

II.               The Revolution was a Failure

 

A.      PRI is bureaucratic dictatorship – severe limits on genuine democracy

B.      PRI is increasing corrupt (abuse of office; bribery; kick-backs; special deals)

C.       Which contributes to chronic lawlessness (why obey a corrupt government)

D.      Limited Civil Liberties – corrupt police; dissenters harassed

E.      Very limited economic reforms: PRI dominates economy & entrepreneurship is hard;  economy is still designed to pump wealth upward; Two Mexicos:  mass poverty & elite privilege

 

III.           The Revolution was a preview of “things to come” in Latin America

A.      Pizzzey’s observations: 

·          Few checks & balances on the military

·          No active citizenry

·          Fragile economy – instead of steady growth, chronic ups & downs

·          Weak “social conscience” among Elites

·          Racial/ethnic “layer cake” instead of “melting pot”

·          Survival of “feudal” conditions especially in countryside: Masters & Peasants

B.      The Intense Appeal of LIBERALISM: Human Rights (core rights to life, liberty, happiness); Civil Liberties (right to vote; assemble freely; free press); respect for each individual

·    Revolutionaries & PRI both promise respect for liberal values

C.       The Intense Appeal of NATIONALISM: Mexicans fought Mexicans – YET – all Mexicans resented US intervention

·          Both Revolutionaries and Counter-Revolutionaries attempt to harness Nationalism

D.      The Intractability of the ELITES – those who benefit from “status quo” are willing to use violence to preserve it

E.      The Appeal of REVOLUTION – a violent & massive overthrow of the “System” is possible