ABSTRACT
This chapter presents evidence to help understand why political fragmentation instead of decentralization led to violence, by analyzing how the Partido Revolucionario Institucional (PRI) regime maintained its monopoly with high barriers of entry before the proliferation of organized violence. It focuses on actors – mainly governors, caciques, and cartels – created the new political paradigm of 'feuderalism' as the barriers evaporated, triggering an increase of organized violence throughout the country which state institutions could not contain. Career politicians are not a phenomenon unique to Mexico –this career exists in all countries and includes advanced countries. The chapter highlights the importance of Pemex, the largest state-controlled corporation, as a financial carrot source for the PRI. The security forces played a vital role in fortifying the PRI's power throughout much of the second half of the 20th century. Examples abound of the PRI using the military to maintain its hegemonic rule, however, none is more infamous than the Tlatelolco massacre.
