Question: Why is Mexico so messed up?
I put this question into the simplest possible terms. Perhaps, too simple. Offensive even, at least from an American standpoint. So, allow me to explain the context of my inquiry and what I hope to achieve (and learn).
Mexico should be far more prosperous than it is:
— Mexico has enormous geographical advantages, including access to two oceans both in the east and west, and neighboring markets both to the north and south which are easily accessible by land.
— Mexico is largely self-sufficient in food (and produces many agricultural products).
— Mexico is mostly energy independent, with vast reserves of oil and natural gas.
— Most Mexican people are hard-working (just consider the “dirty” jobs they do here in the U.S. that lazy Americans won’t do).
— Mexico isn’t burdened with the aftereffects of colonial exploitation, such as in Africa, which was plundered by foreign powers for centuries.
— Mexico’s heritage remains a mixture of some of humankind’s greatest civilizations — including the Aztecs, the Mayans, and the Spanish (who were a highly-advanced global superpower at the time).
— Mexico has broad topography, resorts, big cities, and plenty of land.
— Mexico has more oceanfront than the continental United States.
— Finally, Mexico has enjoyed huge advantages, historically speaking. It’s not been invaded (since the breakaway Republic of Texas nearly 200 years ago), it’s kept out of foreign wars and wastes little money on national defense, it’s suffered no major plagues. In short, it’s been a country at peace for a century, with no significant international crisis.
Yet, Mexico remains grossly impoverished and shows no tangible signs of improvement.
Why? This makes no sense.
Please note this is NOT a discussion about border issues or immigration (from Mexico into the United States). While those controversies are direct consequences of Mexico’s domestic problems, they are not the reasons so many problems exist. In fact, they are the effects, not the cause.
Let’s agree on at least one thing. Mexico is misunderstood. Embarrassingly so. I really hope to learn something from those of you who wish to share your thoughts.
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