Abstract

LABASTIDA MARTIN DEL CAMPO, Julio  and  LOPEZ LEYVA, Miguel Armando. Mexico: A Protracted Transition (1988-1966/1997). Rev. Mex. Sociol [online]. 2004, vol.66, n.4, pp.749-806. ISSN 2594-0651.

The bibliography on democratic transition finds it difficult to classify the Mexican case, because of its characteristics (primarily the lack of a "foundational pact" or the collapse of a regime). In order to clarify this process, the author proposes a periodization that explains it using the recently developed concept of protracted transition, whose central characteristic is the length of time taken by political actors to negotiate rules that were acceptable and accepted to all parties concerned. The electoral dimension in Mexico is crucial to understanding the shift from authoritarianism based on a hegemonic party to a democracy with clean, free, competitive elections, with a possibility of taking turns in office.

Keywords : protracted democratic transition; electoral reforms; negotiations; political actors.