Mexican Empire

From Roach Busters

Imperio Mexicano Mexican Empire
Flag	Coat of arms
Motto Libertad, unión y religión (Spanish) ("Liberty, union and religion")
Anthem Himno Nacional Mexicano (Spanish) Mexican National Anthem
Capital (and largest city)	Mexico City 19°03′N, 99°22′W
Official language(s)	Spanish
Government  - Emperor  - President of the Government	Constitutional monarchy Agustín V Adolfo Lora
Legislature  - Upper house  - Lower house	Congress of the Nation Chamber of Senators Chamber of Deputies
State religion	Roman Catholic Church
Independence  - Declared  - Recognized	from Spain December 16, 1810 September 27, 1821
Area  - Total  - Water (%)	2,395,566 km² 907,968 sq mi 2.51
Population  - July 2009 estimate  - Density	149,611,454 62.45/km² 164.77/sq mi
GDP (PPP)  - Total  - Per capita	2009 estimate $5.258 trillion $35,144
GDP (nominal)  - Total  - Per capita	2009 estimate $5.097 trillion $34,071
Gini (2008)	42 (medium)
HDI (2008)	0.899 (high)
Currency	Mexican real (MXN)
Time zone - Summer (DST)	(UTC -8 to -6) (UTC-7 to -5)
Drives on the	right
Internet TLD	.mx
Calling code	+52

The Mexican Empire (Spanish: Imperio Mexicano), commonly known as Mexico, is a federal constitutional monarchy in North America. It is bordered by the United States of America on the north; by Belize and the Caribbean Sea on the east; by the Pacific Ocean on the west; and by Panama and the Pacific Ocean on the south. With an area of 2,395,566 km² and a population just short of 150 million, it is the second-largest Spanish-speaking country by area and the largest by population. Mexico is a federation comprising twenty-two states and one federal district, the capital city.

In Pre-Columbian Mesoamerica many cultures matured into advanced civilizations such as the Olmec, the Toltec, the Teotihuacan, the Maya and the Aztec before the first contact with Europeans. In 1521, Spain created the New Spain which would eventually become Mexico as the colony gained independence in 1821. The post-independence period was characterized by of political unrest and fiscal crisis as well as periods of stability and economic upswing. While its political system has somewhat evolved over time, it has retained a monarchist form of government.

Considered an emerging great power, Mexico is firmly established as a First World country with one of the world's largest and strongest economies, a large and well-educated middle class, very high rankings in most socioeconomic indices. Compared to many other Latin American countries, inequality in wealth and land distribution is relatively low. Mexico today is recognized for its economic freedom, its intense social conservatism (Mexico is among the few countries in which abortion is banned without exception), and its complicated relationship with the United States, with which Mexico has extensive economic ties but an often contentious diplomatic relationship.

Contents 1 Politics 1.1 The Emperor 1.2 The Government 1.3 Congress of the Nation 1.3.1 Chamber of Deputies 1.3.2 Chamber of Senators

Politics

The politics of the Mexican Empire take place in the framework of a federal constitutional monarchy whereby the Emperor (Emperador) is the head of state and the President of the Government (Presidente del Gobierno) is the head of government in a multiparty system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is exercised concurrently by the government and by the Congress of the Nation (Congreso de la Nación), which is comprised of the Chamber of Senators (Cámara de Senadores) and the Chamber of Deputies (Cámara de Diputados). Judicial power is exercised by the judiciary, which is independent of the executive and the legislature.

The Emperor

The Emperor of Mexico, whose official title is "By Divine Providence and the Congress of the Nation, Constitutional Emperor of Mexico" (la Divina Providencia y por el Congreso de la Nación, Emperador Constitucional de México) is the head of state, the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, and the chief representative of the nation at home and abroad. One of his most important functions is personifying the continuity and legitimacy of the Mexican State.

While in theory the Emperor has broad powers, in practice he performs mainly ceremonial roles.

The Emperor has power:

• To sanction and promulgate laws.
• To appoint and dismiss the President of the Government and, on the advice of the latter, the Secretaries of State (Ministers).
• To prorogue or dissolve the Chamber of Deputies and call general elections thereto.
• To call an extraordinary session of the Congress of the Nation or propose an extension of an ordinary session.
• To appoint half of the members of the Chamber of Senators.
• To appoint the President and Ministers of the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation.
• To appoint and to accredit, and to receive and to recognize, ambassadors, plenipotentiaries, and other diplomatic envoys.
• To partake in foreign visits and to host and receive visiting heads of state.
• To appoint and dismiss the commanders of the armed forces.
• To confer and revoke military and civilian decorations.
• To pardon and commute criminal sentences.

The Emperor is very widely beloved by Mexicans as a symbol of national unity who exercises his powers in an impartial, non-partisan manner in the interests of all.

The Government

Executive power is vested in the Government, which is appointed by the Emperor but is responsible to the Chamber of Deputies. The Government is presided over by its President, who is usually the leader of the party (or coalition of parties) which holds the largest number of seats in the Chamber. The remaining members of the Government, called Secretaries of State (Secretarios de Estado) are designated by the President and formally appointed by the Emperor. No person can hold membership in the Government unless he is a member of the Chamber of Deputies; loss of membership in the Chamber entails automatic loss of membership in the Government. The President of the Government exercises overall direction and supervision of the country's domestic and foreign policy, and the Secretaries of State administer their departments autonomously and on their own accord, within the framework of the Government's general policy. The current President of the Government is Adolfo Lora Márquez, while the composition of the remainder of the Government is as follows:

• Attorney-General
• Secretary of State for Economy
• Secretary of State for Foreign Relations
• Secretary of State for Finance and Public Credit
• Secretary of State for National Defense
• Secretary of State for Public Security

The Government holds office during the pleasure of the Emperor, and can be dismissed at his discretion.

The Government must also maintain the confidence of the Chamber of Deputies. If a confidence motion of the Government is defeated, or if the Chamber issues a motion of no confidence, the Emperor must either appoint a new Goverment or dissolve the Chamber of Deputies and call a new election thereto. Loss of supply (denial of a supply of treasury or exchequer funds) by either the Chamber of Deputies or the Chamber of Senators requires the Government to either resign immediately or request a dissolution of the Chamber of Deputies by the Emperor, in which case a general election will be held. In the event that the Government is dismissed or resigns, it continues in office until a new Government is inaugurated.

Congress of the Nation

The bicameral Congress of the Nation serves as the legislature of the Mexican Empire. It is composed of the Chamber of Deputies and the Chamber of Senators, the latter of which is usually referred to simply as "the Senate."

Chamber of Deputies

The Chamber of Deputies, the lower house, is comprised of 660 members, with each state (and the federal district of Mexico City) being represented by 30 deputies, who are elected at-large by the voters of their states from party lists, with the number of seats won in the states corresponding to the percentage of the vote received by the party therein. For example, if Party A wins 56% of the vote in State 1, it will receive 17 seats. This has received some criticism for two reasons: Firstly, citizens can only vote for parties, and not for individual candidates; and secondly, each state, regardless of its population, is entitled to 30 deputies. This is done to ensure that each state enjoys equal representation and to preserve the federal nature of the country.

Deputies serve for terms of six years, which are staggered so that one-third of the Chamber's members are elected every two years. There are no term limits, but consecutive terms are not permitted.

In order to be elected to the Chamber of Deputies, one must meet the following qualifications:

1. He must have been a citizen for at least five years prior to the date of the election.
2. He must be 21 years of age or older.
3. He must be in full enjoyment of his political and civic rights.
4. He must be able to read and write.
5. He must have been resident in the corresponding state (or the federal district) for at least two years prior to the date of the election.

to be continued

Chamber of Senators

The Chamber of Deputies serves as the upper house. Its membership is partly appointed and partly hereditary. 75 members are appointed by the Emperor, acting in accordance with his own discretion, and 75 members are hereditary peers whose seats are inherited. Most of the members appointed by the Emperor come from the nobility and clergy, though many Mexicans who have outstanding merits in the social, scientific, artistic, or literary field have been appointed, as well. For example, many of Mexico's leading scientists, artists, and humanitarians are members. Membership in the Chamber of Senators is for life.

to be continued