Only in Mexico

Recently, (on Saturday night to be precise) a cell of the Beltrán Leyva cartel enganged in a skirmish with the Mexican army in Acapulco. The results were 13 drug-cartel foot soldiers killed as well as two Mexcian army troops deceased. Nobel winning Douglas North says that a State should have the comparative advantage in the use of force (to let alone Weber's definition of a State). When drug-cartel foot soldiers have access to assault rifles, 9 mm guns, and granades, it it to be thought if the State still has a comparative advantage in the use of force. Maybe the opportunity cost of drug-cartels (and their private armies) is smaller than that of the state to engage in the use of force in Mexico. I say once again, Mexico IS A FAILED STATE. It no longer can control the use of force within its territory, to let alone take care properly of childcare centers in Hermosillo.

Electoral stunts and other nice things about the political life

So, I haven't posted for a while, but I'm back. Back to say once again that Mexico is, to say the least, a very peculiar place. A place where the US president can come with 1000 marines and nothing is said about soverignty, but oil cannot be privatized because it would imply a loss of sovereignty. A place where a well respected professor becomes Secretary (in this case Education) and is now the strongest card for the next presidential election for ruling party, PAN.

And it is mostly on Lujambio's designation as Secretary of Public Education (SEP) and his action taking on his first days on the job that this post will be about. After being named to the cabinet, his political abilities were questioned (could he step up to La maestra Elba Esther Gordillo, or would he be a pushover for her?), as well as his well known friendship to President Calderón.

Just today classes (and along with them prueba ENLACE's application, which meassures school quality) were cancelled because of the spread of a porcine (made human) flu epidemic in Mexico City and in neighboring Mexico State. Is this an electoral stunt? Was it made to position Lujambio? Is it an electoral stunt for upcoming July's intermediate elections (and maybe take away the headlines from theever growing concern on drug traffic and security and to show that the Federal government is in charge of pressing situations)? Hopefully, only time will tell.