ABSTRACT
This chapter explains about the possible impact differing leadership characteristics and voting trends may have on Mexico's future political stability. It examines the significance of national trends from the 1982 and 1985 election data, suggests differences between mass support for and leadership of opposition groups, speculates on the impact of opposition activities for United States-Mexican relations. The chapter offers some interpretations about the strengths of the opposition in relation to Institutional Revolutionary Party over the next five years. Mexico's political system has undergone severe crises of legitimacy since 1968. Two of the most important political trends occurring in Mexico since the 1910 Revolution are the increasing centralization of power in the capital city and the rapidity of urbanization. Discrepancies between leadership backgrounds and sources of support are likely to have important future consequences for Mexico. A notable trend among Mexico's establishment and right-wing politicians is the dominance of Mexico City in their backgrounds.
