Democratization of Mejico
The democratization of Mejico (Spanish: Democratización de Méjico), also known as The De-Autocratization (Desautocratización), was a process marked by a noticeable shift in the nation's political landscape. The election of Manuel "Maquío" Clouthier symbolized the triumph of democratic principles and the ascendance of political pluralism, setting the stage for a new era of governance in Mejico. The democratization of the country followed the eight years of absolute government of Emperor Fernando II, who had pledged in the Zócalo Speech of 1976 to bring about stability and then transition the country towards democracy.
In the Zócalo Speech, Fernando II set the tone for his regime by stating the country would go through "two years of total war, two years of recovery, two years of consolidation, and two years of accelerated growth". After two years of total war, during which the government dealt with multiple threats from various insurgent groups and dissenting factions, the following two years marked a period of recovery and stabilization. The government took significant steps to rebuild infrastructure, restore public services, and address the social and economic impacts of the conflicts. This period also saw the consolidation of the monarch's power, as the administration worked to solidify its control over the regions of the country and establish a more centralized governance structure. As the promised two years of accelerated growth approached, Fernando II began to introduce economic reforms aimed at stimulating growth and revitalizing the economy, setting the stage for the next phase in the Octennium.
On September 22, 1984, exactly eight years after his original speech, Fernando declared the creation of a Constituent Assembly, intending to embrace the growing calls for a reformed system. The Assembly was mandated with the task of revising the 1966 Constitution and incorporating greater democratic elements, including guarantees of civil liberties, the establishment of a bicameral legislature, and the delineation of the monarch's powers in an executive constitutional framework. With representatives from a wide spectrum of factions, the Assembly embarked on a process of deliberation, negotiation, and compromise. The resulting constitutional amendments aimed to strike a balance between imperial authority and democratic governance.
Fernando II appointed politician Pablo Madero Belden as the temporal administrator of the Empire, tasking him to lead the transition towards democratic governance and preside over the preparations for the momentous 1985 democratic elections. Madero embarked on a series of reforms aimed at strengthening democratic institutions, revitalizing the economy, and restoring civil liberties. The elections held in 1985 represented a significant milestone in the nation's history, marking the culmination of the extensive de-autocratization process initiated by Fernando II. Amidst the fervor of the election, the National Action Party emerged victorious, with the Conservative candidate Manuel "Maquío" Clouthier securing the presidency by a substantial margin.
The de-autocratization process faced some challenges as there were segments of the population still hesitant to fully embrace the transition, holding onto the stability and security provided by the centralized rule of Fernando II. However, with the leadership of Pablo Madero and the collaboration of various political factions and social groups, the Mejican populace began to gradually accept the promise of a democratic future. The structural changes introduced by the Constituent Assembly, under the guidance of Madero, played a crucial role in allaying the concerns of those hesitant towards change.