5 POLITICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PORFIRIATO OF MEXICO - HISTORY - 2025

Some of the most relevant political characteristics of the Porfiriato of Mexico were the reduction of guarantees and individual freedoms, the persecution of the opposition, the centralization of power, simulated democracy and the positivist and progressive foundation, among others.

The Porfiriato was a regime led by Porfirio Díaz, who ruled Mexico for three decades - from 1876 to 1911. Díaz and his government committees preached pacification, stability and progress as ideological pillars to improve the economic and social situation.

Porfirio Díaz, leader of the Porfiriato

The central mottos of this period were "order and progress" and "little politics and much administration." For the representatives of the Porfiriato, it was necessary to restrict certain freedoms in order to generate an environment of peace in the country and, therefore, establish the necessary conditions to improve the economy.

As a consequence of this restriction, the Porfiriato was a period of very few freedoms, in which dissidents were persecuted and any initiative in search of a new government was canceled. Power was centralized and democracy was non-existent, since there was a lot of electoral fraud.

Political characteristics of the Porfiriato

The dictatorial government of Pofirio Díaz sought to pacify the country with drastic measures that would reduce wars and internal conflicts, thus giving way to economic growth.

They were convinced that by exercising a tight control over the freedoms of citizens they would generate peace, order and progress in the country.

To this end, they carried out great actions and changes of a political nature that would later be classified as characteristics of the Porfiriato of Mexico, among which we can mention:

Reduction of guarantees and individual freedoms

The Porfiriato was a dictatorial period that did not respect individual guarantees and freedoms, which were reduced through constitutional reforms and amendments.

These political changes in the Constitution allowed the cancellation of the guarantees, as well as the restriction of freedom of expression and censorship of the press, among other vices of power.

So the apparent economic and social stability of Mexico was based on the oppression of the people.

Persecution of the opposition

The policies of the so-called "Porfirian peace", to end the country's internal wars, were based on the repression and systematic elimination of any rebellion or insurgent movement.

This resulted in constant threats, persecutions, violence and annihilation towards those of thought contrary to the government.

Centralization of power

Porfirio Díaz ruled autocratically and with political authoritarianism, superimposing the executive power over the independence of the other powers that were limited to abiding by presidential orders.

Power was centralized in his person, endowed with exceptional powers, with laws that were modified at his convenience, often outside the Constitution.

Simulated democracy

During the Porfiriato, a single group remained in power, through mock elections to comply with democratic procedures and requirements.

Electoral fraud reigned with ballot manipulation that allowed the Porfirian candidates to win with up to 99% of the votes against symbolic opponents.

In addition, due to abstentionism, suffrage was mainly exercised by government officials and employees.

There were no free elections for federal or state powers, so all political posts and positions were imposed by Porfirio Díaz and occupied by a group close to him.

That same group held office for more than 30 years without the Mexican people having a voice or vote. Such a situation led to a system of rewards for loyalty and punishments for lack of complicity.

Positivist and progressive foundation

The Porfiriato idealized the path of progress through positivism, scientific thought, and industrial development.

Porfirio Díaz's interest in science led him to surround himself with an intellectual and political elite known as "the scientists", whose members held important political positions.

The progressive trend allowed large investments in infrastructure, which began the modernization and industrial and technological development of Mexico.

References

1. Biographies and Lives. (s / f). PORFIRIO DIAZ. Biographies and Lives: The Online Biographical Encyclopedia. Retrieved February 11, 2018 from: biografiasyvidas.com
2. Nacional History Museum. (s / f). PORFIRIO DÍAZ MORI. Biographies. Nacional History Museum. National Institute of Anthropology and History. Government of Mexico. Retrieved February 11, 2018 from: mnh.inah.gob.mx
3. Library of Congress. (s / f). MEXICO UNDER PORFIRIO DÍAZ, 1876-1911. The Mexican Revolution and the United States. Exhibitions. Collections of the Library of Congress. Library of Congress of the United States. Retrieved February 11, 2018 from: loc.gov
4. Luis Pablo Beauregard. (2016). PORFIRIO DÍAZ, A CENTURY IN EXILE. Mexico debates the figure of the dictator who ruled for three decades 100 years after his death. Culture. El País: The global newspaper. Ediciones El País SL Extracted on February 11, 2018 from: elpais.com
5. Susana Sosenski and Sebastián Plá. (2015). MEXICO IN TIME. History 2. Grupo Editorial Patria. Retrieved February 11, 2018 from: Libros.conaliteg.gob.mx
6. Secretariat of Public Education (SEP). (2015). HISTORY OF MEXICO II. Third semester. Secretary of Public Education. Government of Mexico. Retrieved February 11, 2018 from: Libros.conaliteg.gob.mx