Stephan Sberro - PhD in Political Science, Professor at Department of International Studies, Mexico Autonomous Institute of Technology, Co-director of the Institute of European Integration Studies, National Researcher of CONACYT (Mexican Official Council for Developing Science and Technology, Río Hondo No. 1 Col. Tizapán San Ángel C.P. 01000 México D.F.; E-mail: ssberro@itam.mx

Abstract

The presented paper discusses the problems of inequality in Mexico. Despite intensive economic growth, the Mexican society is one of the most unequal in the world. The five last presidents of Mexico have led a strong liberal policy. They all have declared that the fight against poverty would be their priority and three programs have been implemented. But despite this strong will and the relatively good results of the economy, half of the Mexican are still living in poverty. According to the National council for the evaluation of social development 51% of Mexicans are poor. Mexico inequality indicators are the highest in Latin America.

The author examines social measures on reducing inequality taken in post-revolutionary Mexico (1940 – 1990) and the new liberal programmes, which can reduce inequality to an acceptable level.

The efforts on building “welfare state” during 1940-1990 led to improvement of living standards, widening access to education and health care, but did not help to overcome inequality. The gap between rural and urban population was increasing. After the serious economic crisis of the 80’s, Mexico accelerated its economic liberalization. To reduce inequality social programmes for supporting vulnerable social groups: Indians, women, old citizens were launched. However, despite the efforts of the government and relatively good economic performance, poverty was not eradicated.

The author concludes that liberalizing trade and embracing globalization is not enough to tackle the inequality problems and the Mexican government should implement consistent policies to equalize opportunities. He also points out that Mexico should prioritize measures ensuring equality of opportunities in order to enable the country to realize its full capacity and opportunities of globalization.