Will Mexico EVER be a First World Country? (with a significant middle class comparable to America)? (universities, income)

[questioner2]

On the immigration board, many people are talking about working with Mexico to make it a economic powerhouse like America, Japan and Western Europe. Many people seem to believe that with a little bit of help from America, Mexico will become a strong first world country with a middle class comparable to the United States. While there is significant wealth in Mexico, it is held by a small elite of Spanish light skinned European people. The Spanish people control the government, the media, and business community. The rest the people are poor and most of them are dark skinned Indian.

In my many visits to Mexico I see some very hard working people but a poor infrastructure, little capital available to the average person to set up businesses, a culture that is more concerned with family and today than tommorrow, a lack of interest in education and vocational training, and a laid back culture. Not the things that make a prosperous country.

Do you think this is possible that the Mexican government and economy can be reformed and a strong middle class will form in Mexico with a percapita income similar to Canada or America within the next 50 years?

[Kingsnkali]

I don't see it happening. I think it has become worse as the years go by.

Corrupt. Criminal.

You would think the advantage of proximity to the world's economic powerhouse would rub off on Mexico, but it doesn't. And we in the USA are enablers for allowing America to be Mexico's "safety valve".

Now they are even chasing away the foreign tourists that do go there.

One screwed up place.

[charolastra00]

You must remember that democracy is still a very new thing in Mexico. For 3 generations, there were regular elections but everyone knew it would be the PRI... that's just how it worked.

Unlike Chile and Argentina, the population of Mexico is relatively well distributed. Argentina's economy is growing, but a staggering amount of Argentineans live in Buenos Aires or the suburbs (over half of the country's population if I remember correctly). Mexico has good universities scattered around the country and many sectors of highly educated people. The people you see fleeing to the US are not indicative of the population of Mexico as a whole- it's like the people of Appalachia and Mississippi Delta fleeing to Canada.

The problems are top down. Despite the end of the collective despotism, Mexico's governing class are still vastly corrupt. I can only hope in the future that this will change.

[KevK]

It could be if they had a government there that was not corrupt and criminals. It would require a massive program of infrastructure and - yes- population growth controls. But yes, it CAN be done. Look at China. 20 years ago China was poorer than Mexico and it is now becoming a modern country more and more everyday.

[questioner2]

There is a history of some countries moving from the third world to the first world. Examples include Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Japan, Spain, Italy and Portugal. The European examples were very poor before the second world war, but since they have become modernized they have really changed economically.

All the Countries above have a completely different social culture than Mexico which is not all that interested in education or tommorrow. I think what holds Mexico back is the culture. People live for the day, in most successful cultures-- people live for tommorrow and education is key.

[CamaroGuy]

Originally Posted by questioner2

There is a history of some countries moving from the third world to the first world. Examples include Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Japan, Spain, Italy and Portugal. The European examples were very poor before the second world war, but since they have become modernized they have really changed economically.

All the Countries above have a completely different social culture than Mexico which is not all that interested in education or tommorrow. I think what holds Mexico back is the culture. People live for the day, in most successful cultures-- people live for tommorrow and education is key.

Very well said!

Mexico does not need the help of the USA either! They are getting billions for dollars right now from their oil. I guess most of it is going into Swiss bank accounts.lol

I certainly do NOT want any type of union between the US and Mexico!:-( I know these globalistic lunatics are hoping for this but I pray that it never happens!

[ian6479]

No they won't. They could become a developed nation though

[6 Foot 3]

Well president Calderon is trying but it can't be accomplished overnight. I see that just in the last several years Russia is starting to really modernize from the old Soviet Union.

Calderon is putting record number of monies in Mexico's infrustructure.

I was impressed when he mentioned reciently wants to expand BioTech, Pharma Medicines, Alternative Fuels, Nanotechnologies etc,,,as he wants a high tech sector to take hold.

Anyway time will only tell.

http://www.city-data.com/forum/mexic...ng-strong.html City Data Thread

[KerrTown]

If it does, is Mexico City going to be safer (less crime)?

[big daryle]

Considering how the economy and morals in this country are on the verge of collapse,it is fair to ask if this country will still be a first world country (if it is now) on January 1, 2051?