Why isn't Mexico rolling in the money?

Question

With it's location in the World.... it would seem Mexico should be more like a world power than a third world country... What gives??

These are all very good answers so far.
Not that I think this, but I wonder if others do or this is part of the reality.... Does the United States and other countries play a role in keeping Mexico in the state that it is/has become?

Answer 1

It makes you wonder, right? Mexico has to be one of the richest countries in the world! It has been robbed for 3 centuries and it still has a lot to give! Robbed by Spain when it was conquered. Robbed by its own people on a long stuggle to establish a solid goverment. Robbed by smart rich foreigners. Robbed by their own corrupt authorities.

The 60s and 70s were decades in which Mexico had everything going for them to become an established power in the world. But corrupt goverment and stupid economic systems (populism) were the wrong recipe to "manage abundance". Seems like an open economy (1990) and the look of an established democracy (at least it looks that way for the last 10 years) have helped Mexico´s macroeconomic variables, but have done little, if anything, to fight poverty. Past 2 administrations, the internal fight for power between 3 major political parties, have blocked energy, fiscal, health and other structural reforms that could make the country more competitive and attract more investment.

Marginalization is another big problem. Northern and central cities keep getting cosmopolitan, modern, richer... but the south states lack the proper investments and incentives to develop.

But corruption is still the main problem. Imagine this, Mexico has arguably the biggest number of beautiful beaches in the world and colonial cities to die for, boh with a very rich culture and historic buildings. Not to mention a rich culinary culture all over the country. Still, Mexico isn´t among the leaders in tourism in the world, as one should assume, espcially having the US as neighbors. Spain has an abismal bigger income form turism than Mexico. Why? Authorities don´t give a damn, don´t plan, don´t invest adecuatly and rather steal most of the budget! Just an example!

Mexican ideosincracy after decades and decades of disillusion is also afected. But seems like the loser-set-of-mind way to see things is starting to be exorcized. Hope it does, it is a beautiful country and their citizens deserve better... although, you know the phrase, " a nation recieves the leaders it deserves!"

GL! What do you think?

Answer 2

Demographic explains part of the difference. Mexico's population was only about 15 million in 1900 and 30 million in 1950 vs 75 and 150 for the US. Since 1950 their population has tripled due to very high birth rates that has only recently began to fall. The US has almost 3 times as much arable land per person. Because they do not have an abundance of farm land they have never encouraged immigration and so remained culturally isolated. Added to these problems is the history of an economic system and government that ran to preserve the wealth and privileges of the rich and a bitter revolution that fed on itself just after the turn of the century, and you have most of the ingredient of a third world country. Also the US has not been the best of neighbors clipping off choice pieces of real estate from time to time.

Answer 3

Mexico has many problems the foremost being corruption. Another is lack of natural resources including area for agricultural development. The third is location which is an area that is rampant for with disease. These factors are among the many that are included. The foremost couple however are a government which does not emphisise training for jobs such as education and a lack of infastructure to help to transition to high tech. However they are not a third world country as they are industrilized.

Answer 4

I have often wondered the same thing.
Mexico has more than as much land and resources as the US, so it has no lack there.
I believe the problem lies in a series of corrupt and impotent Presidential parties that lacked either the resources or the know-how to develop and manage those resources.
Mexico's history in the long term shows a pattern of easy conquest and takeover by other nations.
Maybe this will change one day.
Good luck

Answer 5

Political and legal corruption are rampant. A handful of very wealthy families call all the shots.