Despite the criticism regarding the macroeconomics in Mexico and the slow GDP growth, the increase in the minimum wage has provided significant relief to millions of Mexicans. It has been observed that populism feeds on the desperation for quick solutions during economic crises. The former head of Government of Mexico City, Claudia Sheinbaum, has supported the social programs implemented by the administration of Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO), which has been key to gaining sympathy from part of the population.
In her campaign, Sheinbaum followed Trump's strategy, focusing on promises of immediate welfare, such as the increase in the minimum wage and direct social supports like the 'Wellbeing Scholarships'. Although these proposals offer superficial and effective short-term solutions, both political leaders have managed to capitalize on the urgency of the population's economic needs, embracing populism as a pathway to electoral success, prioritizing the promise of immediate economic security over long-term macroeconomic improvements.
The phenomenon of prioritizing immediate solutions over complex political discourse is not exclusive to the United States, as seen in the elections where Donald Trump garnered support from a diverse base of voters. The Latino, African American, migrant, and Asian voters who backed him did so by focusing on quick solutions to urgent economic problems over his polarizing rhetoric and extreme proposals.
Similarly, Claudia Sheinbaum's victory in the recent elections in Mexico can be explained under a similar scheme. The promise to end corruption and improve the economic situation immediately has resonated with voters disillusioned by the lack of quick and tangible results in democracies, which has led them to support leaders who offer simple and direct changes.
