Insurgency, authoritarianism, and drug trafficking in Mexico's "democratization" / José Luis Velasco.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Velasco, José Luis, 1970-

Series:

Latin American studies (Routledge (Firm))

Latin American studies

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Democracy--Mexico--History--20th century.

Democracy.

Insurgency--Mexico--History--20th century.

Insurgency.

Authoritarianism--Mexico--History--20th century.

Authoritarianism.

Drug traffic--Mexico--History--20th century.

Drug traffic.

History.

Mexico--Politics and government--1988-.

Mexico.

Politics and government.

Physical Description:

xvi, 239 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm.

Place of Publication:

New York : Routledge, 2005.

Summary:

Mexico's "democratic transition" has created a competitive electoral system and a formally plural state. But authoritarian practices have shown their capacity to thrive in this competitive context. Besides, a peculiar wave of insurgency, started in 1994, has challenged the alleged moderating effect of democratic transition. At the same time, the illegal drug business became larger and probably increased its political influence, undermining the rule of law and democratic accountability. This book argues that socioeconomic inequality is the main factor behind this combination of democratic and undemocratic trends. Inequality has corrupting effects upon democratization; conversely, the apparently democratic system tends to legitimate economic inequality and thereby contributes to reproducing it. Thus, a far-reaching redistribution of socioeconomic power is indispensable for breaking the vicious circle created by inequality and authoritarianism.

Contents:

Anomalies of Mexico's democratic transition

Democratic transition in Mexico

Transition and insurgency

Authoritarian structures and practices

Transition and illegal drugs

Beyond democratic transition : toward a redistributive agenda.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 165-231) and index.

ISBN:

0415972094

OCLC:

56329870