Científicos

Definition

Científicos were a group of Mexican intellectuals and politicians in the late 19th and early 20th centuries who embraced positivism and sought to apply scientific principles to governance and social reform. They believed in the power of science and rational thought to improve society, advocating for modernization, industrialization, and secularization as a means to create a more progressive Mexico.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The científicos were instrumental in promoting the idea that government should be run like a business, emphasizing efficiency and expertise over political considerations.
2. They supported policies that favored foreign investment and development of infrastructure, such as railroads and telegraphs, to stimulate economic growth in Mexico.
3. Científicos believed that education was vital for societal advancement and pushed for reforms that included establishing new schools and universities focused on scientific subjects.
4. Their reliance on positivism often led to authoritarian practices, as they viewed democracy as less important than stability and progress.
5. The influence of the científicos began to wane with the outbreak of the Mexican Revolution in 1910, which sought to address social injustices and oppose the elite rule that the científicos supported.

Review Questions

• How did the científicos influence the governance of Mexico during Porfirio Díaz's regime?
  • The científicos had a significant impact on Mexico's governance under Porfirio Díaz by promoting a rational and scientific approach to politics. They believed that expertise and efficiency were more important than democratic ideals, leading to policies that emphasized modernization and industrialization. Their influence helped shape a centralized government focused on economic growth but often at the expense of civil liberties and political freedoms.
• In what ways did positivism shape the ideas and actions of the científicos in their efforts to reform Mexican society?
  • Positivism shaped the ideas of the científicos by promoting the belief that scientific knowledge could lead to societal improvement. This philosophy encouraged them to advocate for education reforms, infrastructure development, and policies favoring industrial growth. Their commitment to applying scientific principles led them to support authoritarian measures as they prioritized stability and progress over democratic participation.
• Evaluate the long-term impacts of the científicos on Mexican society and politics after their decline post-Mexican Revolution.
  • The long-term impacts of the científicos on Mexican society and politics are seen in both positive advancements and negative legacies. While they contributed significantly to modernization efforts that laid the groundwork for economic development, their authoritarian tendencies fostered discontent among various social classes. After their decline following the Mexican Revolution, many of their ideas persisted but evolved into movements advocating for social justice and democracy, influencing Mexico's political landscape well into the 20th century.

Related terms

Positivism:

A philosophical theory that asserts that only scientific knowledge derived from empirical evidence is of real value, often associated with the belief in progress through education and reason.

Porfirio Díaz:

The Mexican president who ruled from 1876 to 1911, his regime was heavily influenced by the científicos, promoting modernization and economic development at the cost of democratic processes.

Modernization: The process of transforming a society from agrarian to industrial, often involving changes in technology, economy, and social structures, which was a key goal for the científicos in Mexico.