Publication Date

1968

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Dubin, Martin David, 1931-

Degree Name

M.A. (Master of Arts)

Legacy Department

Department of Political Science

LCSH

Mexico--Politics and government

Abstract

This thesis is an analysis of economic, social, and political development in Mexico. The Mexican developmental experience is instructive because Mexico has achieved remarkable economic progress and political stability over the past twenty-five years. These achievements are particularly meaningful because the government has not resorted to oppressive and coercive techniques to promote growth and ensure stability. The Mexican experience is an example of the achievement of sustained rapid economic growth through a vigorous and active private sector. The government's developmental role has been to encourage and stimulate the private sector. This has been accomplished by avoiding rigid, doctrinaire "solutions" to developmental problems and by responding to pressures emanating from society. The government's receptivity to impulses from society is enhanced by its flexible, unplanned approach to development. Governmental flexibility and its responsiveness to the private sector has stimulated group activity so that today this sector operates through an elaborate group structure. Interest groups formalize and regularize communication between the government and society while providing the government with cues for decision-making. In Mexico such decisions have proven advantageous for economic development. This study also indicates that a flexible approach contributes to political stability by integrating well organized interests into the decision-making process. Since the best organized groups have access and influence they have no desire to disrupt the system. The official party in Mexico has also contributed to stability by absorbing poorly organized groups into the political system and affording them the appearance of power and influence.

Comments

Includes bibliographical references.

Extent

iv, 130 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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