Why is Mexico so far behind the U.S. and other developed countries?

Question

Mexico won its independence from Spain in 1824.

The U.S. became independent in 1776

That means that Mexico is only 48 years younger than the U.S.

What happened?

Why is Mexico far more than 48 years behind the U.S. and far behind many countries that are even younger than Mexico?

We know that it took Mexico until 1862 to kick the French out of Puebla, but why hasn't the economy of Mexico developed enough for them to stop being a third-world country?

They have far more natural resources than many other countries that have modern industrialized economies anyway.

Their two separate and very long coastlines are the envy of many land-locked countries.

I'm perplexed!

Did their revolution really take?

Or did it flop?

Answer 1

Good question.

Early explorers of Mexico focussed on extracting resources from the country, often using indigenous peoples. There was less a desire to permanently settle than to gain wealth. The people that settled there eventually integrated with the native populations, most of whom were not ambitious about intellectual pursuits such as science and technology (most tribes were not like the Maya or Aztecs). Furthermore, in the past, the Roman Catholicism that came to dominate Mexican religion did not encourage anyone trying to get ahead through innovative thinking and hard work; instead, there was more of an attitude of taking life as it comes (having no control over one's destiny; "why bother").

Early settlers in Anglo-America (English-speaking North America) came to the new world usually because of 1) wanting to permanently settle and strike out a new life of success, and, 2) wanting to escape religious persecution. Amongst these settlers were Protestant Dissenters that especially valued hard work and innovative thinking (laziness was seen as the work of the Devil). Typically, rather than integrating with native tribes, most of the settlers sought either to only barter with the tribes, or drive them off of the land. Because of this, these European settlers retained more of their own values and work ethics, rather than adopting whatever ideas the natives had.

If you come from a culture where accountability and honesty are highly valued, you are more likely to vigorously pursue hard work towards a better life, often through innovative thinking and technological development. You will probably not tolerate laziness, dishonesty, and "taking life as it comes". Instead, you will see yourself in control of your own destiny, and hold yourself accountable for your own decisions.

Answer 2

The answer is corruption. Mexico has a class structure which truly keeps many of the people poor. The rich control the government and corruption pervades every level. You must remember that Mexico does not have anything like the United States Constitution and the average people of the country have no real say in the affairs of their land. Development is driven by innovation, but innovation is staggered by oppression and rampant poverty. This answer is an over simplification, but it is sufficient to answer the question on a base level.

Answer 3

If you listen to some, its because US interfer with Mexicos government. Most would say that Mexico's government is corrupt. I believe Mexico took a long time to become an industrial nation. Spain always kept Mexico as an agricultural nation. Americans became experts in building ships. It made a lot of money through their slaves while Mexicos slaves were actual holding them back economically. The money from enslaving Native AMericans went to the catholic church rather than the Mexican government. Several of our forefather was interested in science and soon after we became a nation, we began inventing. I think teh main problem with Mexico is the class structure. There is the rich and the poor. THe lack of hope of moving up in class prevents people from trying.

Answer 4

are they really far behind I think Mexico is fooling the USA the US has companies there American fl yer corp is one of the companies I have spoken to many people that would love to be there they say it is beautiful so I believe Mexico is getting rid of there undesireables and sending them to the US like Cuba did have you been to Miami and then the US is wondering why there is so much violance and dieseas going around if a person is here illegaly it is more than just money we do not know what they are carring if anything and look at the women they take with them sweet young girls who should be in school having babbies to translate for them that should also be illagal the children doing a parents job because they do not want to speak english there should be a law for that under child labor law they are committing a crime by being here but the loophole says we can not discrimante. I would like to know why is there nothing the American people can do

Answer 5

well my opinion is that b/c the government is corrupt. they don't do anything for their people. they sell their resources away and they get rich for themselves. nobody cares about the people to invest the money for better schools, hospitals, etc. that is my thought, but there could be other things as well.

Answer 6

Venezuela because of how much oil they have, The other three countries have too many drug cartels running them

Answer 7

They abandoned the revolution or thought of due to lack of leadership, goals,poverty,education and oppurtunties elsewhere.

Answer 8

Corrupt Government and dictators line there own pockets.Keeping people illitarate and poor is enslavement.

Answer 9

Corruption and lack of initiative.

Answer 10

its a basic lack of fundemental knowledge and intellect..start slow,always be slow...