Kailey McSteen

Mr. Sebestyen
Honors Regional World Geography
4/2/17

The Mexican Future

Mexico is weak and defenseless right now. The living standards of the average Mexican

citizen have dropped dramatically since the 1980s. This is partially due to unemployment, low

wages, corruption of the political system, and violence. Mexico needs a plan in order to turn a

collapsing economy into a prosperous nation. This plan will focus on both building the Mexican

economy up while fixing the large imbalance of the social classes. The cooperation of the people

and the help of other rich economic countries will ensure Mexico to become a sought after

region. With the proper renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement, the

corrected imbalance between the rich and the poor, and the use of a democracy, Mexicos

economic, social, and political future will be destined for success.

Mexicos relations with NAFTA have linked the country to some of the richest

economies in the world. This is vital to the growth and development of Mexicos economy and

trade. While NAFTA has had many positive effects on Mexico, there are also some problems that

Mexico will need to discuss going forward. NAFTA has caused countries like the United States

and Canada to open factories in Mexico to produce a certain businesss products. This has helped

create jobs for the unemployed. However, some of the workers in these factories only make six

to eight dollars an hour. This calls for Mexico to renegotiate some parts of NAFTA. Workers

should continue to work in the factories opened by the United States and other countries, but

Mexico would renegotiate higher wages for Mexicans working in these factories. This is not to
be confused with raising trade barriers. This negotiation that Mexico would make would be

towards changing the current NAFTA policy. When Mexico renegotiates the parts of NAFTA that

are harming Mexican citizens, they are helping the lower class to overcome poverty. If Mexico

does this in their future, then the large imbalance between the rich and the poor would slowly be

solved. When Mexico supports the newly negotiated NAFTA, they would be supporting a free

market economic system. A free market is an economic system in which prices and wages are

determined by unrestricted competition between businesses, without government regulation or

fear of monopolies, (Dictionary.com). With a free market economy, the United States and

other countries will continue to invest in the Mexican economy and trade, and the issue of

unemployment and low wages would be solved with the renegotiation of NAFTA. By bridging

the gap between the upper and lower class, all Mexican citizens can start to contribute to the

future growth of Mexico. This plan gives Mexico the best of both worlds because the economy

would be prospering while the problem of poverty would be fixed at the same time.

Mexico has had a long history of corruption and violence. Part of this corruption roots

itself in the major differences that occur between the social classes. The upper class minority

controls much of Mexicos wealth. In 1998 the highest 20 percent of Mexicos income earners

received 58 percent of the national income. The lowest 20 percent received only 3 percent of the

national income, while the middle 60 percent earned the remaining 39 percent, (Social

Issues). Mexicos middle class is relatively small, however most Mexicans live in varying

degrees of poverty. This poverty is due to lack of jobs and rapid population growth. The

population is largely very young. Some Mexicans are attempting to move to cities in search of

new and different economic opportunities. For example, the oil industry is taking off in many

Mexican cities, and it is being used to finance development. Another issue the lower class is
experiencing is a lack of education. Without education and training, young workers cannot find

good jobs. High rates of unemployment also cause people to move to the United States in

search of work. Many do this without proper documentation. A solution to manage some of the

poverty is to start imposing higher taxes on the rich. The social aspect of the Mexicos future also

ties in with the geographical landscape of the country. The geography of Mexico is beneficial

because Mexico is home to various valuable resources. Mexico could develop these resources for

trade, and this would generate wealth for the economy and help the lower class. The social future

of Mexico will take time to mend. However, the gap between the upper, middle, and lower class

can be fixed with the development of resources and the placement of higher taxes on the rich.

The political future of Mexico is highly questioned right now, but what is the real reason

behind this? Going into the twenty-first century, Mexico must stand strong in its political

decisions. The people want a voice in the government to show how their everyday lives are being

affected. True democracy must bring power to the people. A democratic government is one in

which the people hold the power. This will be immensely beneficial to Mexicos future because

this will improve education, wealth, trade, and the peoples rights. Specifically, education is an

important asset to any developing nation because an educated population will lead to inventions,

technological advances, and better trained workers. From 1929 to 2000, Mexico was ruled by the

Institutional Revolutionary Party. This party was full of corruption and fraud. However, in 2000,

Vincente Fox, head of the National Action Party, was elected president. Ever since 2000, Mexico

has been lost on what to do to promote political success for the country. The seventy-one years of

corruption and violence sent Mexico into a tail spin. Now, Enrique Pena Nieto, the current

Mexican president, has to look to democracy to put Mexico on a path for success. Democracy

will give a voice to the voiceless to speak out about issues like medical problems, unfair working
conditions, and crime. With commitment and struggle, all Mexicans can at last have an

opportunity to share in the wealth of our country.

No problem is solved immediately. Mexico is experiencing a time of destruction and

confusion. The economy of Mexico has the opportunity to thrive if the right decisions with

NAFTA are made. The poverty will diminish if higher taxes are imposed on the rich, and with

this, the lower class will be more engaged in the economy. The enforcement of democracy will

allow the Mexican citizens to have a say in the decisions of their country. The economic, social,

and political future of Mexico will be changed to both encourage growth and make Mexico a

successful nation again.

 Works Cited

"Dictionary.com." Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com. Web. 02 Apr. 2017.

<http://www.dictionary.com/>.

"Social Issues." Countries Quest. Web. 02 Apr. 2017.

<http://www.countriesquest.com/North_America/Mexico/People/Social_Issues.htm>.