Adrienne Harry

“It’s the corruption, stupid,” said Mexican political analyst, writer and university professor, Denise Dresser. “That should be the banner in every office of the Mexican government today.” Corruption, ongoing violence, human rights violations and other ills that currently plague Mexico were among the topics Dresser addressed in her keynote at the Munk School of Global Affairs on September 21. Known as one of the most critical voices of the Mexican government, Dresser examined the country’s current state under President Enrique Peña Nieto and contemplated Mexico’s future beyond the 2018 elections.

“I come here at a time that is very sad for my country. The narrative of moving Mexico forward and of structural reforms has come to an end,” said Dresser. “Government corruption has become a corrosive acid that has run through every aspect of the reforms; grinding to a halt what might have been accomplished, with increasingly onerous effects for the country.”

Indeed, Peña Nieto’s presidential term is shrouded in scandal and has spurred deep dissatisfaction among the people of Mexico. In August, his approval rating hit a record low of just 23%, down from 50% when he first took office. Failed energy reform, a plummeting peso, the mysterious mass killing of 43 students from the state of Guerrero and the two prison escapes of notorious drug kingpin Joaquin ‘El Chapo’ Guzman are just some of the stains that tarnish Peña Nieto’s legacy. “He’s not only a lame duck, he’s become a sitting duck in terms of attacks and substantive questions as to what he’s going to do with the remaining years of his presidency,” said Dresser.

Lack of a credible, independent entity to investigate and punish government corruption may be the very thing that perpetuates it. In July, the Mexican government approved anti-corruption reform, but Dresser pointed out that they still haven’t assembled a team to formalize and enforce anti-corruption strategies. She questioned whether the Peña Nieto administration truly intends to fight corruption or whether they embrace it as a way of governing. “The democratic table lacks legs,” said Dresser. “The absence of checks and balances simply means that in Mexico, corruption has become democratized.”

In a conversation with Professor Teresa Kramarz, who moderated Wednesday’s event, Dresser stressed the importance of active citizenship in achieving substantive change. In the journey toward repairing democracy, she highlighted using social media as a tool to circumvent corrupt mainstream media; mentioned the importance of harnessing the privilege of Mexico’s middle class and cautioned against relying on the political opposition to be a champion for Mexican citizens.

A silver lining in this moment of unrest is that Dresser sees an opportunity for Canada and Mexico to strengthen their relationship. “There’s much to admire about Canada in terms of its multiculturalism, its diversity and emphasis on human rights. I think those are lessons to be exported,” said Dresser. “I frequently wonder why it is that there aren’t more Canadians involved in teaching Mexican NGOs how to finance themselves, how to lobby, how to write legislation — things that Canadian civil society knows how to do. I think Canada could have a huge impact in terms of teaching best democratic practices.”

Although Dresser’s take on the current state of Mexico seemed grim, her outlook for the country’s future remained optimistic — but she noted that it’s up to the people of Mexico to enact change. “We have the right to protest and combat a government that we do not deserve,” she said. “I know and believe that Mexico’s splendour can be unearthed as long as all of us are willing to fight for it.”

September 23, 2016