The Mexican military and political transition

Abstract

This thesis assesses the future of Mexican civil-military relations. Mexico is unique among Latin American nations for its professionalized and depoliticized military. While the Mexican Armed Forces have shunned an active role in politics since 1940, they continue to relay on the hegemonic political party, the Partido Revolucionario Institucional, or PRI, for power and prestige. This dictates a close and mutually-supportive working relationship. Within the next 20 years, however, the PRI is likely to lose its hegemonic position to increasing political opposition, severely straining the military's 60-year tradition of loyalty to both Constitution and party. The military will be pressured to take on a more dynamic political role with the demise of its long-standing patron. This thesis demonstrates that the Mexican Armed Forces are likely to resist this temptation to repoliticize.