Colombia Internacional

Colomb. int. | eISSN 1900-6004 | ISSN 0121-5612

The power of governors. Conceptualization and measurement in Mexican local executives

No. 100 (2019-10-01)
  • José Antonio Sevilla
    Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
https://doi.org/10.7440/colombiaint100.2019.09

Abstract

Objective/context: Mexican governors have had great capabilities for action, before and after the transition, although in different degrees. The literature holds measurements of the power of governors; however, most lack an abstract conceptualization or do not consider the influence that local executives have beyond the territory they govern. In this work we establish a conceptualization to identify what is the basis of the power of governors. Based on the above, we formulate the Governor’s Power Index and a couple of typologies to capture and measure the power that local executives have in Mexico. Methodology: The research is based on the multilevel nature of the structuring of a concept. On the first level we establish an abstract conceptualization of a governor’s power. In the second level we identify the constituent dimensions that point to the presence or absence of the concept. On the third level, we determine empirical indicators (based on the constituent dimensions) to identify the concept in reality. These indicators are the basis of the index and the typologies. Conclusions: The governor of the state of Mexico, for the year 2015, has greater capabilities with respect to the rest; the above, both in the general index and in the typologies built. He is very closely followed by Jalisco and Chiapas, although this is not constant, as it is in the state of Mexico. On the other hand, the local executive of the state of Morelos is the weakest and is closely followed by the one in Querétaro. Originality: The conceptual framework established allows the formulation of a quantitative instrument, which is practical in comparative research. With this conceptual basis, the development of typologies is also possible, which is useful for research that needs to delve into specific aspects of the power of local executives.

Keywords: Mexico, Typology, Power of Governors, Local Executives, Subnational Indices, Power

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