Is Mexico at the Gates of Authoritarianism?

Abstract: Mexico might be on the verge of becoming one of the latest additions to the list of competitive authoritarian regimes. By the end of the term of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO), his party had achieved full control of the executive branch, both chambers of Congress, and most subnational states. His government also succeeded in overhauling the judiciary and strengthening the military by approving controversial constitutional reforms aimed at executive aggrandizement and weakening checks and balances. How did AMLO manage to swiftly subvert Mexican democracy by the end of his term? This essay argues that his government resorted to a mix of strategies. In particular, AMLO's populist rhetoric played a crucial role in undermining democratic institutions while also mobilizing support for the subversion of democracy among the electorate.