Description
Book SynopsisA comprehensive examination of the origins, development and rising electoral prominence of Mexico's Partido Accion Nacional (PAN). The authors discussion of how and why political parties adjust to changes in the political landscape is particularly relevant to scholars of Latin America.
Trade Review“Yemile Mizrahi’s fine analysis of the PAN's evolution over the decades sheds important light on the organizational and ideological problems plaguing the party’s transformation from a longstanding opposition force to a governing party that can effectively consolidate its electoral support. This thoroughly researched and theoretically sophisticated volume is highly recommended to Mexicanists in particular and Latin Americanists in general.” —Kurt Weyland, University of Texas at Austin
"...will certainly become standard fare for students of new Mexican politics." —Latin American Research Review
“...an important book....” —CHOICE
“Mizrahi’s account of the Partido Acción Nacional (PAN) has both analytical power and clear policy implications. PAN leaders would be wise to take her suggestions about party organization and rules seriously.” —Joseph Klesner, Kenyon College
"...excellently argued and presented... ...essential to anyone wanting to understand the current political climate of Mexico." —Multicultural Review
“Mizrahi’s findings raise important questions about the future of Mexican politics. This clearly written and convincing study is essential reading for anyone interested in contemporary Mexican politics.” —Perspectives on Political Science
“We still have too few excellent books on specific political parties in Latin America. Mizrahi’s admirable study of the Mexican PAN, which draws on many years of careful research, is therefore an invaluable building block in the larger effort to create an empirically sound comparative literature on parties. Through analyzing the remarkable trajectory of the PAN, the book likewise provides welcome and timely insight into contemporary Mexican politics.” —David Collier, University of California, Berkeley
"The strength of this insightful work stems from the author's extensive field research in Mexico, and her contact and ultimately friendships with numerous leading politicians and businessmen engaged in wresting control of the political system long before PAN achieved success on the national level. She argues that the PAN developed numerous characteristics strengthening its ability to survive in the hostile environment the PRI created, but that the party now faces different challenges as a governing party and has not adequately met those challenges. Her major thesis is that the party's internal rules severely limit the PAN's flexibility to adapt to a more competitive environment." —The Americas, vol. 61 no. 2, October 2004
