1. POLITICS IN MEXICO LUIS ESTRADA lmestrad@weber.ucsd.edu Spring quarter 2005

2. Sources of Presidential ‘Meta- Constitutional’ Powers President is ‘weak’ relative to Congress President is ‘weak’ relative to Congress But appears strong for three main reasons: 1) Unified government; 2) President is the Party Leader; 3) Discipline within the Party of the President (Weldon 1997) But appears strong for three main reasons: 1) Unified government; 2) President is the Party Leader; 3) Discipline within the Party of the President (Weldon 1997) Since 1997, 1) and 2) no longer apply Since 1997, 1) and 2) no longer apply

4. Constitutional Reforms, 1920- 2000

6. Sponsors of Public Bills, 1988-2000 (Weldon 2004)

8. Institutions: Supreme Court (arts. 94-107) 11 Justices, nominated by the President, approved by the Senate (2/3) 15-year tenure, no reelection Chief Justice is elected within the SC (4-year period) Solves controversies between different levels of government (federation vs. states; states vs. municipalities; executive vs. legislative; etc.)

9. Supreme Court (Magaloni 2003) Before (1934-1994): “Flexible” Constitution Before (1934-1994): “Flexible” Constitution President controlled nominations (non-independent) President controlled nominations (non-independent) Therefore, no politician delegated responsibilities to the SC Therefore, no politician delegated responsibilities to the SC Today (since 1994): 2/3 needed to modify it (no single party) Today (since 1994): 2/3 needed to modify it (no single party) Independence (the Chief Justice is elected within) Independence (the Chief Justice is elected within) Capacity to solve conflicts between different levels of government (different parties) Capacity to solve conflicts between different levels of government (different parties)

10. Supreme Court (Magaloni 2003) Challenges: Challenges: Still too removed from citizens (only available through ‘amparos’) Still too removed from citizens (only available through ‘amparos’) Weak law enforcement provides uncertainty on trade, contracts, and property rights Weak law enforcement provides uncertainty on trade, contracts, and property rights Problem of perception: “Broken Windows Theory” (Parás 2005; Gladwell 2003) Problem of perception: “Broken Windows Theory” (Parás 2005; Gladwell 2003)