THE MODERN MEXICAN MILITARY: POLITICAL INFLUENCE AND INSTITUTIONAL INTERESTS IN THE 1980S

The decade of the 1980s has witnessed dramatic changes in Mexico's political, social, and economic environment. As an integral part of that environment, the military has been affected by these changes. This thesis examines how these changes have affected the military's political influence and institutional needs. It concludes that the changes suggest continuing increases in political influence, expanding institutional interests, and, as a result, an overall improvement in the military's position within the political system. While the thesis focuses on changes during the De la Madrid and Lopez Portillo administrations, the process of depoliticizing and professionalizing the military, begun in the 1920s, is also examined, as are the military's major institutional interests and activities through the present. Finally, major trends affecting the institution are analyzed and assessed regarding how they may affect civil-military relations and the civilian leadership's ability to maintain its authority over the military institution.