Politics Country November 15, 2024

Democracy and Political Disillusionment in Mexico

An analysis of the current state of democracy in Mexico, highlighting the disconnect between political parties' claims and their practices, leading to democratic disenchantment.


Democracy and Political Disillusionment in Mexico

In Mexico, all political parties claim to be democratic, which leads to democratic disenchantment when democratic institutions fail to meet societal expectations. Throughout history, various political currents have shown their opposition to democratic principles, although today the label of democrat is almost ubiquitous.

For decades, there has been discussion about the possible failures and degenerations of democracy, such as demagoguery and periods of democratic decline. Despite this, many societies that have transitioned from authoritarian to democratic regimes are currently experiencing a climate of disillusionment towards politics.

It is highlighted that, although some parties claim to be democratic, in practice they do not apply real democratic methods in their internal processes. There is dissatisfaction regarding the mistaken belief that adopting democratic forms will automatically lead to economic growth and widespread prosperity.

The General Law of Political Parties in Mexico establishes democratic norms for the internal organization of parties. Through Giovanni Sartori's Theory of Democracy, it is evident that throughout history, democracy has experienced periods of discredit and disrepute.

In the country, practices such as the appointment of leaders by the party elite generate criticism and questions about the true application of democratic principles. Despite attempts to improve democratic representation and functioning, hierarchical and opaque structures persist in some political parties, contributing to the disenchantment of citizens with the political system as a whole.