Epilogue

I completed the main component of my research for this study on November 30, 2000. On the morning of December 1, while I packed my things in a hotel room in Tuxtla Gutiérrez, I followed closely on television along with millions of other Mexicans as one of the most important days in contemporary Mexican politics unfolded. We witnessed the handover of power from Ernesto Zedillo to Vicente Fox. The day was indeed a historic one, filled with hope as the newly invested president promised a new democratic beginning to the country and an end to authoritarian practices of the past under the overarching theme of ‘change.’ As the various official ceremonies and celebrations transpired throughout the day, however, one could not help but wonder how much a change in the official presidential residence of Los Pinos would bring about a tangible change to Mexican politics in general, and to policymaking in particular. Historically, the country has witnessed strong and recurring elements of continuismo across its various regimes. The story I have told in this book would be incomplete were I not to make at least a reference to the main developments on environmental policymaking that have taken place since Fox came to power in 2000. I accordingly present a brief account of the main features of the process of environmental policymaking under Fox in an attempt to draw continuities and discontinuities from the previous administration. I base the account on research conducted during the summers of 2004 and 2005. ¹