Abstract

CANEZ COTA, Antonio. Are Political Machines still operating in municipal governments in Mexico?. Intersticios sociales [online]. 2019, n.17, pp.233-257. ISSN 2007-4964.

This article presents evidence that the pattern of decision-making through Political Machines is still the predominant form in government action in the city of Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico. Three ideal types of governmental action are discussed: bureaucratic, new public management, and the concept of Political Machines. During our research, we interviewed the principle decision-makers in both the city government and the public agencies it regulates. The main finding is that the pattern based on Political Machines still predominates in both the political party in power and labor unions. The article ends with a proposal to incorporate additional checks-and-balances into the institutional design of government at the municipal level in Mexico.

Keywords : patterns of decision-making; Political Machines; Bureaucratic Model; New Public Management; Mexico.

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