Why did Mexico fail to become an advanced country?

Question

US, Canada and Mexico had been European colonies and became independent in between the late 18th century and early 19th century.

Interestingly enough, Anglo American countries(US & Canada) became advanced countries but Latin American countries(Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Chile... etc) did not.

Mexico is one of the three countries of NAFTA but its economy sucks and the people lacks civility and social conscience unlike US and Canada.

Why did Mexico fail to become an advanced country like US or Canada?

Answer 1

Mexico has always been exploited by foreign interest, including the US. The economy is growing at an accelerated rate right now, more factories, more jobs, more tourism, more oil exploration. Access to the world wide web has made a huge difference in growth. Respect for higher education has changed the family dynamic radically.. Mexico hasn't failed its just a little slow, the next 50 years will show great advancements in all areas.

Answer 2

One reason would be there lack of resources.

Answer 3

As we say here...

Porque estamos lejos de Dios y cerca de los Estados Unidos.

What means...

Far away from God and too near to the U.S.

If that would be true U.S. citizens won't come at all on holidays you racist b.

Answer 4

Mexico's people lack civility and social conscience?

So what do you call all the gang activity in LA and Chicago?

Not so advanced now are we??

Answer 5

Well I'm glad you rectified yourself on the civility and social conscience topic, mexico is an immense country with certain parts prospering more than others. the only thing is that Mexican politics has to do much with it.  But we could say the same about the U.S because we have lots of poverty in the inner cities and rural parts of the country and as in mexico the top elite which constitute  1-5% of the nation control over 75% of the economy.  Same situation.   Also the fact that there are many foreigners controlling certain recources and certain types of economy that are in Mexico takes from prospective mexican income and economy and instead go to other coutnries. So Mexico is also exploited from resources.   Also the job market for professionals is verysaturated. i know of many professionals with degrees in law, engineering, medicine,and etc and its hard to make it because there already many lawyers and doctors and etc that many end up doing other things for a living because its hard to either start your law office or engineering firm, or medical center,   or find one in establish corporations.  I dont think the education system is such a problem * except  in deserted rural places like in the middle of nowhere. other wise I see that the education system is much more advanced academically (on top of the fact that they do more hands training education) and its also free.  There many things that hurt our economy but its not something that cant be fixed if the corruption and exploitation were to stop.

Answer 6

This is very easy to explain. I've been here 2 years now and my conclusion.

Drugs are the #1 export - seriously !

With that come the corrupt gov't - its not hidden , it's wide open and in your face.

The education sysytem has failed miserably !!!!

Education , corruption and drugs are the answer to your question.

Answer 7

I highly suggest you to read unbiased (as in don't read the "official" books taught in mexican schools) history books about the life of Porfirio Diaz and the Mexican Revolution.

When Don Porfirio was in power, Mexico was going through an insane progress and economical growth. Trains were connecting the country everywhere and there were factories built everywhere (managed by foreigners.. mostly europeans who generally really wanted to improve the lives of mexicans by giving them work). Sadly Porfirio abused the reelection laws, angered the pueblo and ignited the wrath of the revolution with it's economic destruction.

Mexico is still suffering from the scars of these events. However, the economy while slow, it's indeed stable. We haven't experienced another peso devaluation since 1994 and the goernment has been pushing better conditions for the poorest people.

Mexico has a ton of natural resources, but the economy still needs foreign investment. If more foreigners believe in the country and invest, things will be better.

In fact, call me biased towards PANistas, but the municipio where I live in isn't bad at all. They've been realy doing a lot of good things that could make middle class communities in the US seem second rate. I haven't heard of counties in the US that openly give out info to it's citizens of places to safely dispose of old batteries and organize yearly reforestation campaigns. I'm thinking of going to one this weekend.

Answer 8

Isnt it unfair to say that Mexico's people  lack civility and social conscience and then compare them to Americans and Canadians like we are of a higher species and them of a lower? Is that how you define "advanced?"

Answer 9

Mexico is a country rich in resources and lots of hardworking people.   But their power elite were not  far sighted.  They were always doing smash and grab, raping the land and turning the people into peons instead building a dynasty and a strong society.  The USA and other countries just had aristocrats and robber barons with better foresight.

Answer 10

It is easy:

Mexico, and other countries like Argentina, Brazil, Chile, is not a developed because of USA

The United States became a developed country by robbing and being lucky. They had luck in findin' such a corrupt President to let his country lose half of its territory. They were also lucky to buy Alaska and find later oil and gold in it.

In the 20th century USA through the CIA supported wars, corruption and all kind of atrocities to prevent development in latn-american countries. NAFTA is totally unfair, (just read it) but Mexican politicians are too corrupt.

Why? well, no other country buys more Coca-Cola than Mexico, all American business are fruitful here, it is obvious that Mexico is a great business as eternal developing country. When Coca-Cola, Mc Donald's, Marlboro... get out (or we expel them) of these countries we will be developed.

Answer 11

I am not sure Mexico is not advanced. There may be different traditions and policies but to think of Mexico as backwards may be wrong. My opinion has been that in countries where the climate is good and food is available the need to build heavy industry is less. We need industry to make life livable in a harsh climate with a short growing season. The size of the country necessitated fast transport. People came form Europe to find the streets were not paved with gold but worked hard to get it. Most tropical countries do not need or want the fast paced erratic life we lead. We may have more stuff but there is a lot of dissatisfaction here, as much as in mexico, or more.