CITIZENS, SOCIETY AND THE STATE BY EMMANUELMINJA

BACK GROUND INFO Mexican citizens have participated with their government through the informal patron-client system. The patron clientelism is a relation in which “patron” gain the support of “clients” through the mutual exchange of benefits and obligation Camarilla a politician’s personal following in a patron client relationship. Peasants in a camarilla received jobs, financial assistance, family advice, and sometimes even food and shelter in exchange for votes.

Cleavages Cleavages of Mexico are often Crosscutting, but in recent years they have often coincided Cleavages with the most direct impact on the political system are:  Mestizo V. Amerindian  North v. South  Urban v. rural  Social Class

Ethnicity Mestizo Almost 60% of Mexicans are a blend of European and Amerindian descent 10% can speak the indigenous Language Most of Mexico’s Wealth Lay with the Mestizo Population. Amerindian Most Amerindian people live in rural area and are very poor. Nearly 30% of Mexicans consider themselves Amerindian

Region North Substantial middle class with relatively high levels of education Population is more prosperous Very dry and mountainous More likely to vote PAN South Less educational opportunities and skilled labor Large amount of population is Amerindian Low average income than in the north Largely subtropical More likely to vote PRI

URBAN V. RURAL Rural PRI and the patron- clientelism system were intended to control illiterate peasants in exchange for support Urban Today’s Mexico is more than 75% urban Literacy rate is about 90% Voters are less inclined to support the PRI Often receptive to political and economic reform.

URBAN V. RURAL

Social Class Gini coefficient was.48 in 2009, which means that economic inequality is very high. In 2002 The wealthiest 10% earned 35.6% of Mexico’s income The poorest 10% of the population earned about 1.6% of Mexico’s income. The economic divide translate into higher infant mortality rates, lower levels of education, and shorter life expectancies among the poor.

Social Class In recent years Mexico’s middle class has been growing due to the informal economy from industries and service businesses. Middle class people are more likely to support PAN, and are more likely to vote than the poor,

Decrease in poverty Percentage of Mexicans who cant afford food, education or house goods has decreased greatly since the 1950, although poverty still exists in large percentages.

Higher Education In 2009 the number of people enrolled in higher education was three times greater than those enrolled in 1980

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