A period of rapid GNP growth in an orderly transition from authoritarian rule to democracy is described by which term?

• A. Pendulum Theory
• B. Parastatals
• C. Mexican Miracle
• D. Neoliberalism

Answer: (C)

A period of rapid GNP growth during a managed move from authoritarian rule to democracy is described as the Mexican Miracle. This term captures how Mexico experienced strong economic expansion while the ruling regime, the PRI, maintained control, allowing a relatively orderly transition as demands for democracy grew. It reflects the idea that economic development occurred alongside political stabilization, creating a sense of exceptional progress.

The other terms don’t fit this specific idea: Pendulum Theory describes cycles of political power switching in democracies, not a unique growth-and-transition period; parastatals are state-owned enterprises, not a description of the growth episode; neoliberalism refers to a set of market-friendly policy reforms, not the name for a growth period during an authoritarian-to-democracy transition.