The Role of Institutions in the Economic Development of Mexico Essay

The Role of Institutions in the Economic Development of Mexico Introduction The purpose of this paper is to focus upon the institutional development of the country of Mexico. The paper begins with an overview of the establishment of Mexico as a country and move into the various forms of government institutions that were put into place to govern the nation. The following section is a look at the nation’s attempt to establish a democratic form of government and how the state emerged as the center of authority. The final two sections of the paper examine the development of the private and the public sectors during the middle of the twentieth century and conclude with the repercussions of policies geared towards a state centered form of government. Early History of Development (1810-1916) Before examining the institutional development of Mexico as a country, it is important to understand first and foremost the transitions of government which have evolved over earlier political struggles. Beginning in 1810, the Mexican people engaged in the War of Independence against the Spanish Crown, which had dominated for nearly three decades. The colonial economy, which at that time could be characterized as mainly agrarian and mineral exporting, provided the majority of wealth to the Spanish Crown through the mining of precious metals such as silver and gold. The war persisted for a period of 11 years (1810-1821). In 1824 the Mexican National Government was recognized. Although Mexico had won independence, the next fifty years was a period of massive internal struggle. Fifty different governments were led by thirty different presidents of whom only three served full terms. There were also three short wars, two against Fra... ...pared to compete in the world markets. As of 1996, the Mexican economy has appeared to stabilize and growth for 1997 is estimated at 7.5 percent. With the help of the international community and future trade liberalization agreements, it is expected that Mexico will eventually reach sustained economic growth. Works Cited Haber, Stephen, ed. How Latin America Fell Behind: Essays on the Economic Histories of Brazil and Mexico. Stanford: Stanford UP, 1997. Hansen, Rodger, D. "Mexican Economic Development: The Roots of Growth." No. 2. Washington: National Planning Association, 1971. Long, Robert, E. ed., Mexico. New York: H. W. Wilson Company, 1986. Lustig, Nora. Mexico: The Remaking of an Economy. 2nd edition. Washington: Brookings Institution Press, 1998. Vernon, Raymon. The Dilemma of Mexico’s Development. Cambridge: Harvard UP, 1963. The Role of Institutions in the Economic Development of Mexico Essay The Role of Institutions in the Economic Development of Mexico Introduction The purpose of this paper is to focus upon the institutional development of the country of Mexico. The paper begins with an overview of the establishment of Mexico as a country and move into the various forms of government institutions that were put into place to govern the nation. The following section is a look at the nation’s attempt to establish a democratic form of government and how the state emerged as the center of authority. The final two sections of the paper examine the development of the private and the public sectors during the middle of the twentieth century and conclude with the repercussions of policies geared towards a state centered form of government. Early History of Development (1810-1916) Before examining the institutional development of Mexico as a country, it is important to understand first and foremost the transitions of government which have evolved over earlier political struggles. Beginning in 1810, the Mexican people engaged in the War of Independence against the Spanish Crown, which had dominated for nearly three decades. The colonial economy, which at that time could be characterized as mainly agrarian and mineral exporting, provided the majority of wealth to the Spanish Crown through the mining of precious metals such as silver and gold. The war persisted for a period of 11 years (1810-1821). In 1824 the Mexican National Government was recognized. Although Mexico had won independence, the next fifty years was a period of massive internal struggle. Fifty different governments were led by thirty different presidents of whom only three served full terms. There were also three short wars, two against Fra... ...pared to compete in the world markets. As of 1996, the Mexican economy has appeared to stabilize and growth for 1997 is estimated at 7.5 percent. With the help of the international community and future trade liberalization agreements, it is expected that Mexico will eventually reach sustained economic growth. Works Cited Haber, Stephen, ed. How Latin America Fell Behind: Essays on the Economic Histories of Brazil and Mexico. Stanford: Stanford UP, 1997. Hansen, Rodger, D. "Mexican Economic Development: The Roots of Growth." No. 2. Washington: National Planning Association, 1971. Long, Robert, E. ed., Mexico. New York: H. W. Wilson Company, 1986. Lustig, Nora. Mexico: The Remaking of an Economy. 2nd edition. Washington: Brookings Institution Press, 1998. Vernon, Raymon. The Dilemma of Mexico’s Development. Cambridge: Harvard UP, 1963.