5 STRENGTHS OF DEMOCRACY IN MEXICO - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

One of the strengths of democracy in Mexico is that it enables its leaders to be elected through popular, direct and secret vote, respecting the voice of the people at all times. It is one of the most representative and participatory governments in all of Latin America.

Mexico has three levels of government: in the first instance there is national power, which falls on the figure of the president of the republic.

It is followed by state power, exercised by the governors of each state and the authorities of the Federal District.

Finally, there is the municipal power, deployed by the local officials of the 2,439 municipalities.

Main and important strengths of democracy in Mexico

Democracy in Mexico is characterized by being highly representative, in addition to providing favorable scenarios for the alternation of power and the diversity of political thoughts and currents.

Below are 5 strengths of Mexican democracy.

1- High sense of nationalism and citizenship

Identification with the Mexican cultural heritage is perceptible at all times.

Each government ruling goes hand in hand with the exaltation of nationalism and the sense of belonging of its inhabitants.

The rights of indigenous peoples and minorities are also enshrined in the Mexican Magna Carta, which is why the form of government in this country is considered highly inclusive.

2- Decentralization

The definition of Mexico as a federal government implies a decentralized character.

The governors and state legislatures, mayors, municipal councils and local authorities of the Federal District are regularly elected in free and competitive elections.

Important steps have also been taken to consolidate fiscal decentralization and make fiscal interrelationships more dynamic among Mexican states.

3- Plurality

Mexican politics envisions, essentially, three large political groups: those with a leftist tendency, those of the right, and a neutral or center group.

The political parties with the greatest presence in the arena are: Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), National Action Party (PAN), Labor Party (PT), and the Democratic Revolution Party (PRD).

4- Alternability

Presidential and governor reelection is not allowed. Both levels of command are elected through popular vote, and serve 6-year terms in power.

However, through the constitutional reform of February 10, 2014, reelection for legislative and municipal positions in Mexico was enabled.

In the case of the legislative branch, they may be re-elected for up to 12 years in one of the chambers, either that of senators or that of deputies.

For their part, municipal presidents can be re-elected for an additional period.

5- Civil control over police forces and military forces

Today, Mexico's political course is practically free of military interference.

For its part, each Mexican state has regional police forces (state and municipal), whose function is to protect the integrity of the people, beyond censoring or repressing them.

The Mexican government has made great efforts to maintain institutional control, and to create supervisory bodies to avoid ethical deviations in the conduct of police officers.

References

1. Carrasco, D. (2017) Democracy and plurality, strengths of Mexicans. Mexico DF, Mexico. Recovered from: radioformula.com.mx
2. Democracy in Mexico: The Past, Present, and Future (2011). Council on Hemispheric Affairs. Washington DC, USA. Recovered from: coha.org
3. Emmerich, G., et al. (2010). The State of Democracy in Mexico. Scielo Magazine. Mexico DF, Mexico. Recovered from: scielo.org.mx
4. © Oxford Business Group (2017). The unique strengths of Mexico. Recovered from: oxfordbusinessgroup.com
5. Pizarroso, G. (2019). Strengths and weaknesses of democracy. Recovered from: díanet.com
6. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia (2017). Political parties of Mexico. Recovered from: es.wikipedia.org