Teaching Comparative

PRI resurgence

Carlos Luken, a Mexico-based businessman and consultant, is a columnist for MexiData.info. His recent column is a great summary of the downfall of the PRI and Luken's prediction of a resurgence of the party.

This op-ed piece might supplement your textbook and offer an opportunity for students to seek evidence that supports or contradicts Luken's thesis.

Mexico’s PRI Maneuvers for Major Midterm Victory in 2009

"PRI dominance and its consequent Imperial Presidency was tacitly supported by the population. Either by not voting, not protesting widespread electoral fraud or by being part of the corrupt political machinery, many Mexicans chose to discard their citizen rights in favor of a more contented lifestyle...

"It is a curious fact that, with everything in their favor, the PRI’s well functioning organization self-destructed...

"By not considering public discontent and the opposition’s ability to advantageously channel it to their cause, the PRI soon found itself confronted by two formidable forces – its own splinter groups rallied around popular leftist causes and finally merged into the Democratic Revolution Party (PRD). Its traditional opposition National Action Party (PAN) was reinvigorated by the alignment of large middle class and private sector organizations...

"Political analysts believe that the 2009 federal midterm elections will be among Mexico’s most important ever, with the PRD losing its grip on the southern militant street organizations because of internal feuds, and with the PAN regrouping under future party president German Martinez.

"Thus the PRI is in a prime position to take advantage of its recent state victories, along with the changes in reformed electoral legislation, to gain congressional majorities in both houses of Congress."

Labels: Mexico, parties, politics

posted by Ken Wedding @ 6:10 AM