Democracy’s Legitimacy at Risk: Critical Perspectives from Mexico

Session Submission Type: Full Submitted Panel

Session Description

AMECIP Panel: This panel addresses the key theme of the 2017 Conference in comparative perspective. Over the last decades, Mexico’s traditional political system experienced deep transformations that allowed for the emergence of increasingly free and competitive elections, and of a pluralist multiparty system. Nowadays, perspectives for democratization have deteriorated under the pressures of a multifaceted crisis that threatens the economic, social and physical security of citizens. This generalized deterioration of living conditions is challenging the credibility of political parties and of elections themselves, putting Mexico’s Democracy at risk. This panel critically examines four key issues for the legitimacy of the current political system: How has the quality of elections evolved over the last twenty-five years? Why is Mexican Democracy losing supporters? Why so many people are deserting traditional parties and prefer to vote for “independent” candidates instead? And what challenges faces indigenous political participation in the context of new multicultural rights?

Sub Unit

• APSA Panels and All Meetings and Receptions

Individual Presentations

• ¿Anomalies, or Irregularities? The Evolving Quality of Mexican Elections - Willibald Sonnleitner, El Colegio de Mexico

• Processes of de-democratization in Mexico: Why has democracy lost supporters? - Angel Gustavo Lopez-Montiel, Tecnologico de Monterrey

• Independent candidates: risks and opportunities - Jesus Cantu, Tecnologico de Monterrey

• Indigenous Consultation: Lessons on Legitimacy from Mexico - Claire Wright, Universidad de Monterrey

Chair

• Katelyn Olsen American Political Science Association