Mexico Public Policy Leila Bartholet

Overview Economic ReformsHuman Rights/Corruption -“Mexican Miracle” -In prisons, journalism, and in general - De La Madrid Foreign PolicyDrug War -Trade and Tariffs-background -Immigration -policy options Political Reforms -Election Reforms -Vicente Fox

Economic Reforms; Mexican Miracle Pros- -Annual growth rate from : 6.5% -Annual growth rate for agricultural: 2.4% Annual growth rate for manufacturing: 8% -Growth occurred without much inflation Cons- - gap between rich and poor grew - Mexico’s income distribution was one of the most unequal of all the LDCs -Rapid urbanization -Led to an economic crash -$107 billion debt

Economic Reform; De La Madrid -Cuts in government spending jobs cut public enterprises were eliminated -Debt reduction: US gave more generous pay back amounts created a reliance -Privatization: gave up economic power privatized public enterprises -Most dramatic economic turnarounds in modern history. -Present Miguel De la Madrid through Zedillo -Some people agree with the reform, some don’t -52% of the Mexican population is below the poverty line.

Foreign Policy; trade and tariffs -After 1982, to increase economic growth, Mexico started getting rid of restrictions and reducing/eliminated tariffs. GATT/WTO- -General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade promotes trade NAFTA- -it eliminates tariffs, and reduces restrictions -increases reliance on US

Foreign Policy; Immigration -Vicente Fox pushed to reduce immigration tension between Mexico and US -He proposed an agreement that would create an overall more open border guest worker programs increase visas issued amnesty of illegal immigrants -In return, Fox would tighten the Mexican border - after September 11th, the plan fell through

Political Reforms; Elections In 1974, the IFE (Federal Election Commission) was created in order to create fair elections. - Campaign finance restrictions - Media coverage - International watch teams - Election monitoring and 2000: the most fair and competitive elections in Mexico -Fox: replacing a 71-year PRI dominance

Political Reforms; Vicente Fox Fox’s goals- Decentralization: -moved from national to state and local -for example, education and health decisions Electoral Reform: -Carried out the past electoral reforms. Rule of Law: -tried to change the administration of the judicial system -corruption made it very challenging Anti-narcotics: -tried to reduce demand -didn’t work

Human Rights Corruption -45 complaints regarding unlawful killings -6 men shot at birthday celebration -52 complaints regarding forced disappearances -1,642 complaints of cruel or degrading treatments 20 of them being torture -prisons are 25.8% above capacity -prisoners must often bribe officers for food or medicine -attacks on journalists, censorship, and threats -2 journalists arrested for “abusing freedom of speech” -average person spends 14% of income on bribes -80% of people believe there is a serious corruption problem

Drug War; background -US is very involved in Mexico’s drug war between $19 and $29 billion annually -Drug trades employ half a million people in Mexico -Calderon: massive crackdown on users 47,515 deaths 3,000 police deaths

Drug War; policy options Vicente Fox option 1- decrease/eliminate drug demand in Mexico and in the US doesn’t work Decriminalization option 2- can’t be arrested for possession portugal and Australia puts more drugs in the hands of users “High value” option 3- focus on the “high value” people involved big users and big dealers Calderon option 4- focus on the users small deals military action on streets

war/p13689 What option do you think would work best, and why? You may create your own option.