Mexican Politics: Seeing Mexico's Future in its Past

This is a very nice, discursive essay that uses the occasion of Mexico's 100th anniversary celebration of its Revolution to review the historical roots of comtemporary Mexico, the economic, social and political challenges that it faces, and the various approaches advocated by Mexicans to address these challenges. The writer, Kent Patterson, is the editor of Frontera NorteSur, an online publication of New Mexico State University that focuses on the U.S.-Mexico border.

Seeing Mexico's Future in its Past - Energy Publisher: "A century after Mexico rose against the oligarchy overseen by Diaz, pressures for sweeping changes are again boiling to the surface. While the population of the country grew from 97.5 million people in 2000 to an estimated 112.3 million in 2010, the economy sputtered, growing by only 1.7 percent in the years from 2006 to 2010. At least half the population grapples with poverty, and as many as eight million young people-the so-called 'Ninis'-do not have work or ready access to education.

As in 1910, burning questions simmer the political scene. What economic and political direction should Mexico take? How will change be achieved?" Nov. 27, 2010