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Recently, Mexico has faced criticism for being unable to meet the needs of its working class and of its indigenous people. Some possible solutions to these issues are passing policies which support the working class or devolving power to the southern part of the country where there is a greater indigenous population. Furthermore, Mexico needs to once again allow the citizens to have more influence in public security, which would also help with the issue of combatting violence against women. As a whole, Mexico needs to return power to the people and work to create policies that the citizens actually support.

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Works Cited
Between Two Worlds: Mexico at a Crossroads. Brown University Watson Institute for International Studies, 2015.

Dresser, Denise, and Adam Segal. “Mexico's Dying Democracy: AMLO and the Toll of Authoritarian Populism.” Foreign Affairs, 2 December 2022, https://www.foreignaffairs.com/mexico/mexico-dying-democracy-amlo-toll-authoritarian-populism-denise-dresser. Accessed 6 December 2022.

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Election Fraud
Obrador has worked to undermine Mexican election authorities, and make it increasingly difficult for political opponents to secure power- at times using repressive tactics such as the tear-gassing of protestors

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Organized Crime
Mexico is ruled by its cartels, and bribes from organized crime seep their way into the highest levels of government. This has skyrocketed crime rates across Mexico, and has damaged public faith in the Mexican government.

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Zapatistas
The Zapatista Army of National Liberation (EZLN) is significant because their violent rebellion drew international attention that led to the Mexican government being criticized for not considering the needs of their people. Although they used violent means, they achieved their ultimate goal of bringing this issue to light, and this led to them starting to work with the government, even if little progress has been made so far. (Between Two Worlds)

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This mural is significant in its depiction of Mexico's indigenous history, including the Mayan Chichen Itza and Olmec Colossal Heads. This history is placed at odds with Spanish colonization, depicted by European galleons, horses, which were not originally indigenous to the region. This distinction serves to highlight the inherent differences between the two groups, whose conflicts steered the foundation of modern Mexico. (Between Two Worlds)

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This mural is significant in that it portrays the Mexican state as being blind to the struggles that the less wealthy have to face. Miguel Hidalgo, often a figure representing the founding of Mexico, is seen here with his eyes closed, ignoring the people suffering in the background. In recent years, there has been much division in Mexico surrounding the state's inability to pass policies that benefit the Mexican working class, leaving the public doubting the government's ability to provide for its people. (Between Two Worlds)

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Militarization
In recent years, changes have been made that allowed for an increase in funding to the military but also for an expansion of the military's power. Furthermore, military officials have become less accountable to the public, and have been given roles in public security. These changes have taken away the public's control over public security, and have led to the military gaining massive political power, undermining some of the democratic institutions previously present in Mexico. (Mexico's Dying Democracy)

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Crime
U.S. demand fuels Mexico's powerful organized crime syndicates, with over 3/4th of cocaine in America coming from Mexico, along with methamphetamines and heroin. This cashflow from America bolsters Mexican cartels, increasing their stranglehold on the Mexican populace and funding increasingly ingrained corruption. (Between Two Worlds) In exchange, Mexican cartels are armed through illegal trade with U.S. dealers, who have increased access to firearms due to America's comparatively lax firearm ownership laws. (Between Two Worlds)

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Anti-Feminism
President Obrador, unable to control Mexico's rising feminist population, which has been spurred on in part by Mexico's mass murder of women, has taken to tear-gassing protests and publicly attacking feminist rallies and marches. (Between Two Worlds)

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A Failed COVID-19 Response
Obrador's austerity regarding social welfare, corporate handouts, and funding of hospitals caused the pandemic to decimate the Mexican population and economy, bankrupting businesses killing 600 thousand, causing 1 million children to drop out of school, and driving 4 million people into poverty. (Mexico's Dying Democracy)

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López Obrador vs INE
In recent years, Mexican president López Obrador has made moves to dismantle the National Electoral Institute (INE), something previously put in place to ensure that elections are fair and balanced. He would instead replace it with an institute operated by his party, which would give his party control over the country's ability to hold fair elections. This would only serve to undermine democracy in Mexico and return it to a system not unlike the PRI's former grip on the government. (Mexico's Dying Democracy)

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Tortilla Time!
Tortilla makers and buyers had a role in shaping policy regarding NAFTA as the government was able to realize the staggering difference between the number of tortillas being produced in Mexico versus the United States. This highlighted an industry that was being undermined by NAFTA, so the government was able to respond to help out tortilla makers. (Between Two Worlds)

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North American Trade
While, in some measures, NAFTA was a roaring success, helping to helm Mexico's industrialization, very little of that money found its way into the pockets of the citizens who needed it most, and the increased trade from the United States placed many Mexican industries under significant pressure– including the corn industry, which was totaled by subsidized US corn. (Between Two Worlds) Mexico is also disproportionately dependent on the US economy as a result of these close ties, with two thirds of all Mexican imports and exports coming from America. As such, fluctuations in the American economy, such as the 2008 economic crisis, ripple strongly into Mexico. (Between Two Worlds)

Recently, NAFTA was phased out in favor of the USMCA. However, due to public spats caused by President López Obrador against POTUS Biden, regarding clean energy policy and Mexican overdependence on oil, prompting significant tariffs from the USA and Canada that damaged the Mexican economy. (Mexico's Dying Democracy)

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What role have citizens and civic organizations played in shaping policy or urging government action?

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What policies or actions has the government pursued to promote (or detract from) democratic consolidation? What has been their impact?

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How have other countries or NGO’s exerted their influence on Mexico’s democracy? What has been their impact?

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What are the greatest challenges facing Mexico today?

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How can Mexico move toward becoming an advanced democracy and also compete in the global economic community?

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How can Mexico move toward becoming an advanced democracy and also compete in the global economic community?