Mexico is making a deliberate effort to move away from its entrenched tradition of clientelism, a system where political power is often exchanged for personal loyalty and favors. While the practice remains deeply embedded in the country’s political culture, recent shifts suggest growing recognition of its unsustainable nature. Meanwhile, the U.S. is facing its own reckoning with patronage-style politics, as leaders openly acknowledge its persistence. The challenge for Mexico lies in breaking free from a long-standing model that has shaped governance for decades.
As U.S. leaders become increasingly open about patronage-style politics, Mexico is trying to shed its longtime system of clientelism. It’s not easy.
