Which country is overall more statist and collectivist: Mexico or Colombia?

[Tooting Carmen]

First time I am comparing LATAM rather than European countries in this. On the one hand, Mexico seems to have a slightly bigger welfare state and more public provision for healthcare and education than does Colombia (not that that is really saying much). On the other hand, Colombia's military and police are even more generously cosseted by the State than in Mexico, and not just because of the Civll War and now defunct drug cartels either. So, which is it?

[Andullero]

Mexico, and I would be willing to say, by far. Santanderist liberalism/laissez fairism has been the law of the land in Colombia ever since the country assumed its current rump self once the other constituent parties went their separate ways.

[Tooting Carmen]

Mexico, and I would be willing to say, by far. Santanderist liberalism/laissez fairism has been the law of the land in Colombia ever since the country assumed its current rump self once the other constituent parties went their separate ways.

'By far' is an exaggeration. Mexico ain't Sweden or even Argentina either.

[Andullero]

'By far' is an exaggeration. Mexico ain't Sweden or even Argentina either.

No, but the Mexican state and ethos seems to show more concern for the common Joe, specially after their revolution in the past century. No such change I have seen operating in Colombia.

[Tooting Carmen]

No, but the Mexican state and ethos seems to show more concern for the common Joe, specially after their revolution in the past century. No such change I have seen operating in Colombia.

Ironically, a major explanation for that is that the guerrillas have significantly tainted the Left there in general.

[Tooting Carmen]

Ironically, a major explanation for that is that the guerrillas have significantly tainted the Left there in general.

Together with what has happened in Venezuela, although of course that is a much more recent phenomenon.

[Tooting Carmen]

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