Mexico: The Only Political Party

Puzzle Question: How have the practices, institutions, legal norms established by Mexico’s dominate party (PRI) affected levels of corruption?

Hypothesis: If Mexico limits the political involvement of PRI Party, then the level of corruption will decrease.

Mexico: The Only Political Party How have the practices, institutions, legal norms established by Mexico’s dominant party (PRI) affected levels of corruption? To stay in power, the PRI (Party of Institutionalized Revolution) has established corruption as a way of keeping power. After the Partido Revolucion Institutional (PRI) lost in the 2000 presidential election, the new government was unable to reduce corruption levels. Today, the PRI is weakening; however, it still controls a large part of the government, especially the bureaucracy. Inability to reform the political system has caused Mexicans to stop believing in their government, and to accept corruption as a part of their daily life (O’Neil). There are two types of corruption in Mexico: the institutionalized and

Mexico’s institutions have not enforced the laws. The lack of respect for government and the rule of law has caused the government to become isolated and a lack of support from the society needed to combat the corruption and enforce the rule of law (“Mexico's Party of Corruption”). Laurie Freedom, a former associate of the Washington office Latin American reported, “Doing business in Mexico entails bribing and intimidating public official and law enforcement.” Many people have lost trust in their government to enforce the laws and instead seek their own way to solving their problems. Many Mexicans mistrust the PRI and the government from solving the problem the country is facing. The Journal of The Southwest reported the poll provide the level of corruption is found greater at the federal level; however, no level is free of corruption