This paper applies and discusses the merits and demerits of two different measures of democracy, the Freedom House Index and Przeworski’s regime classification, that is, the updated version by Cheibub et al. (2010), with regard to Mexico between 1972 and 2010.
First, I explain the nature and functionality of the two measures, and then I look at the development of democracy in Mexico and its evaluation by Przeworski and Freedom House, pointing out similarities and differences and their causes. Finally I conclude which of the two measures seems to be more appropriate for the specific case of Mexico and why.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Freedom House vs. Przeworski
- Democracy in Mexico
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper aims to analyze the effectiveness of two different democracy measurement approaches, the Freedom House Index and Przeworski's regime classification, in evaluating the state of democracy in Mexico from 1972 to 2010. It compares the results of these measures and explores the reasons for any discrepancies. The paper then assesses which measurement is more suitable for the specific case of Mexico.
- Comparison of Freedom House and Przeworski's democracy measures
- Analysis of democracy in Mexico during the specified time period
- Evaluation of the two measures' applicability to the Mexican context
- Exploration of the criteria and methods used by each measurement
- Examination of the impact of violence and organized crime on democracy in Mexico
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: This chapter introduces the topic of democracy measurement in Mexico and presents the two methodologies, Freedom House and Przeworski, that will be examined throughout the paper. It outlines the paper's structure and objectives.
- Freedom House vs. Przeworski: This chapter details the two measurement approaches, explaining their individual criteria and methodologies. It emphasizes the differences between the Freedom House Index's continuous scale for freedom and Przeworski's dichotomous approach to classifying regimes as democracies or dictatorships.
- Democracy in Mexico: This chapter delves into the history of Mexico's political system, highlighting the long period of PRI dominance and the subsequent transition towards greater democracy. It presents the different classifications of Mexico by Freedom House and Przeworski over time, highlighting the evolution of democracy in the country. This section concludes with a discussion of the factors that have influenced this evolution, including political reforms, electoral processes, and the impact of organized crime.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This paper focuses on the key concepts of democracy measurement, specifically focusing on the Freedom House Index and Przeworski's regime classification. It analyzes the political landscape of Mexico, including the evolution of its democracy, the influence of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), and the challenges posed by organized crime and violence. It examines key issues such as political rights, civil liberties, electoral processes, and regime transitions.
- Quote paper
- Inga Nehlsen (Author), 2011, Measuring Democracy in Mexico. Merits and Demerits of the Freedom House Index and Przeworski’s Regime Classification, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/305742
