Multiple Arenas of Struggle: Federalism and Mexico's Transition to Democracy
Mexican voters' rejection of the long-standing Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) in 2000 was not sudden, but the result of substantial transformations & democratization on the political scene since the 1970s, chronicled here. Federal features played a major role in the transition that in turn reshaped the structure of Mexican federalism. Electoral reforms starting in 1977 led the way for freer & fairer elections. Federalism allowed for more electoral competition throughout the subnational areas, resulting in an increased plurality of parties gaining power & changing the relationship between center & periphery. The decentralization gave local & regional actors opportunities for mobilization & reform, & even opportunities for federal positions. The impact of Mexico's federalism on its democratic consolidation is assessed by reviewing the degree of overrepresentation in the upper chamber of Congress & the extent of party orientation & incentive systems. Mexico now has a fully functional federal system. 6 Tables, 16 References. M. Pflum