El Presidencialismo en México (1940-2000)
Presidentialism in Mexico: 1940-2000
Understanding Presidentialism
- Presidentialism refers to a political system where the executive power, represented by the president, holds significant authority compared to the legislative and judicial branches. This allowed presidents to govern with minimal checks on their power.
Historical Context and Development
- The foundations of presidentialism were established during the Maximato and Lázaro Cárdenas' government, leading to the creation of a state party known as the Partido Nacional Revolucionario (PNR) in 1929. It was renamed multiple times, ultimately becoming the Partido Revolucionario Institucional (PRI).
- The PRI was supported by a growing bureaucratic apparatus and had strong ties with labor unions and other organizations, forming a "hard vote" or corporate vote that ensured consistent electoral victories for the party.
Political Landscape
- While other parties existed theoretically, they often allied with the PRI rather than running independent candidates for presidency, effectively making them satellites of the official party. Examples include the Partido Auténtico de la Revolución Mexicana and Partido Popular Socialista. These parties did not support social movements in the 1950s and 60s.
Characteristics of Presidentialism
- A notable feature of this system was direct designation of presidential candidates by sitting presidents, typically selecting successors from their cabinet members, particularly from among secretaries of governance. This practice contributed to what became known as "imperial presidency."
Critiques and Opposition
- Mario Vargas Llosa described PRI's regime as a "perfect dictatorship," highlighting its lack of true democratic processes despite constitutional restrictions against presidential re-election. Daniel Cosío Villegas noted that real opposition would emerge from dissidents within PRI itself. This prediction materialized when Cuauhtémoc Cárdenas led a coalition called Frente Democrático Nacional in 1988 after alleging electoral fraud against Carlos Salinas de Gortari's candidacy.
Decline of Presidential Power