Agents or Partisans? New Study Reveals Why Mexican Teachers Union Wins Elections

Introduction

Political brokers like Mexico's SNTE mobilize voters globally, but what drives their success?

Data & Methods

Examining the largest political machine in Latin America through polling station analysis.

Key Finding

Vote share for supported parties higher near schools—teachers acting as partisan agents.

The Motivation Question

Does it come from incentives or loyalty? The evidence points to partisan attachment, not monitoring capacity. This suggests the SNTE's effectiveness stems from mobilizing voters who align with their political preferences.