LESSONS FROM THE MEXICAN ELECTIONS

In: Dissent: a journal devoted to radical ideas and the values of socialism and democracy, S. 29-33

Abstract

MEXICO'S 1994 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION ALLOWED MEXICO TO ESCAPE THE WORLDWIDE WAVE OF DEMOCRATIZATION ONE MORE TIME. IT IS NOT SURPRISING THAT MEXICO'S RULING PARTY WON THE 1994 ELECTIONS. ITS ADVANTAGES OF MONEY, MEDIA, AND COERCION WERE OVERWHELMING. HOWEVER, SEVERAL LESSONS CAN BE LEARNED FROM THE RECENT ELECTION THAT WILL ASSIST FUTURE MOVEMENTS FOR ELECTORAL DEMOCRACY IN MEXICO. FIRST, IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT A BROAD MULTIPARTY COALITION IS BUILT BEHIND THE MOST CREDIBLE CANDIDATE POSSIBLE. SECOND, THE OPPOSITION PARTY NEEDS TO OFFSET THE RULING PARTY'S MEDIA DOMINATION AND EXTENSIVE NETWORK OF CLIENTELIST CONTROLS. THIRD, THE OPPOSITION PARTY NEEDS TO CONVINCE THE ELECTORATE THAT IT IS CAPABLE OF GOVERNING EFFECTIVELY. FINALLY, THE OPPOSITION PARTY MUST CONCENTRATE ON GRASSROOTS EFFORTS THAT WILL TRULY INFORM THE PEOPLE.