Why after approxmately 200 yrs since Mexico won it's independence, it's still a 3rd world country?

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NONAME

The reasons are numerous. Mexico is divided into 2 sections North Mexico and South Mexico. Most of the "norteÃ±os" are rich and live pretty well of. In the south there is extreme poverty mainly because there is a lack of agriculture and arable land. The other factor is political corruption and police corruption. The politicians of Mexico were able to pull of a 70 year dictatorship of the PRI party up until a new dictatorship of the PAN party began in 2000. The dictatorship has been even called the "perfect dictatorship". Most of the PRI members have won elections through deceit and have pocketed much of Mexico's budget. President Salinas de Gortari took approximately 80 million and was able to kill a PRI candidate as well, ever hear of Colosio? Corruption is the best answer.

BobSpain

Hi,

Do you think it is truly a third world country? How do we decide this? Surely not just because there are some very rich people and some very poor?

That situation occurs in many countries, including the USA, Great Britain, Spain and so on. The fact there are poor in a population mix cannot determine whether or not a country is 'third world'.

Mexico has a long history, of which it is rightly proud, earns a bunch of money from tourism, from oil, and from its own manufacturing base. It does not have overriding poverty throughout its people.

Yes there are many who ARE poor, some rich, but most, just like any other 'civilised' country are working 'middle level income' people, who go to work each day, earn enough to live on, have a decent standard of living and are happy.

I don't believe they can truly be classed as 'third world'. If they are, then so are we in my adopted country of Spain.

Cheers,

BobSpain

Charlie

Hi, I cannot answer your question in a scholarly manner, but do have some thoughts from my experience. I am an American living in Mexico. As Bob said there are many poor, many very rich, but also an emerging middle class. If "third world country "refers to the poverty level of a nation, Mexico certainly is not one. It is, however, very hard to shake off that designation. Poverty here is much more pronounced than in the U.S. and since not many people in the U.S. have seen REAL 3rd world countries , they persist in referring to Mexico as "third world." A great weakness of Mexico is its reliance on income from the United States. The other two great problems in Mexico are corruption and poor educational standards. I believe Mexico is in a period of great change...kind of in its adolesence...and the next 20 or 30 years will be a period of great growth and change. The average citizen here does not want to leave his country, abhors the corruption in government, and agonizes over the poor education available to children in many places. The history of government here is totally different than that of the United States, and there are enough of the old-time elite still in the government that it weakens the country. They look for easy, short-term answers that make them popular with the poor...but are not good for Mexico in the long run. But, the younger people are not going to tolerate this any longer, and change is coming slowly and steadily. I love the people here...they are hard working, kind-hearted, and patriotic. I appreciate you asking such an intelligent, thoughtful question, rather than just bad-mouthing Mexico in an ignorant manner as so many do.

Cristina V

well, let me tell you that Mexico isn't a 3rd world country. it has The 14th economy in the world and the 14th GDP, and i can tell lots of things to argue you because recently I've made a market study for an course at my college and I've learned a lot of this country. before i thought also that it's not such an power full country (i refer to it's economy)

Don J

I'm really sorry there, "gringo racist" to puncture your anti-Mexican balloon, but Mexico is "dirt-poor" ONLY by US standards!

Mexico actually has the third highest standard of living in the Americas, the third highest industrial output in the Americas, the 2nd. most powerful armed forces in the Americas, the 12th richest GDP in the world, the 6th largest petroleum producer, the 5th largest manufacturer of automobiles, it is anything BUT a "dirt poor country!"

Your figures of monies remitted by Mexicans living abroad refer ONLY to foreign currency income! In terms of GDP, The Petroleum Industry, Tourism, Manufacturing, Fishing and Agriculture ALL produce a much higher GDP for Mexico than the few dollars sent home to momma by Juan Miguel working in the car wash in East LA!

Yes, there ARE actual problems such as corruption, great inequalities, past political crimes and the AMERICAN drug user trade. But we are facing these problems and trying to deal with them.

(Say, it would help us enormously if you could simply reduce the incredible demand for illegal drugs by YOUR citizens up there! That AMERICAN demand for drugs is causing about 80% of the crime, corruption and poverty down here! Hey I'll even make you a bet! If YOU AMERICANS would eliminate your insatiable appetite for illegal drugs, why I'll wager that we could save enough money and resources here in Mexico to reduce illegal immigration by 80%! What do you say? Want to give it a try? .........I didn't think so, you gringo hypocrite........)

Fine!

They have a high population and not enough well paying jobs. Your either very rich or very poor. It`s coming to the USA very soon.

Elizabeth

Well at least we're not throwing stupid bombs killing innocent peolpe just for oil...

jaymes_07

The problem in Mexico is that their is a high percentage of those that cannot work, these are the people coming to the United States. They lack an education even in Mexico, many are completely illiterate. Once you get beyond this group of people, most Mexican's are very well off.

mar

You are right about Mexico being so beautiful. I don't think there is hatred from the leaders but it would be worth doing some research on it. One thing people could benefit from is better education. Its first source of income is from oil, tourism ranks second.

bbq

corrupt government. and that independence thing ~ that's not real.

Scott

Yep but back in the 1800's it Whipped up on France on the 5th day of May.... And once again France was sent home packing there bags...

dearambivalence

They're second-world, hon.

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