Which party was intended to stabilize political power in the hands of its leaders and served as an important source of government legitimacy until other political parties successfully challenged its monopoly during the late 20th century?

• A. MORENA
• B. PAN
• C. PRD
• D. PRI

Answer: (D)

This question centers on how a single party can stabilize political power and legitimize the government over many decades. In Mexico, the Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI, did exactly that by creating a broad, corporatist coalition that brought together peasants, workers, and various elites under a centralized party structure. This arrangement allowed the PRI to control candidate selection, patronage networks, and the electoral process, presenting itself as the natural custodian of national stability and steady development. That combination—centralized power, managed competition, and a narrative of legitimacy through order and progress—helped the party sustain rule even as genuine multiparty competition was limited.

Over time, growing demands for democracy, economic strain, and organized opposition began to erode the PRI’s monopoly, with rival parties gaining strength and demanding real electoral competition. This shift culminated in the late 20th century changes that allowed other parties to challenge the PRI’s dominance, signaling a move away from the long-standing one-party-dominant system.