For at least a century, caciquism was the form
through which democracy would reign in Mexico. In a
land of both Spanish and Indian descent and
traditions--a land of illiteracy--elective democracy was
not possible. These caciques were the revolutionaries
who fought against the Creole caudillos of the regular
army. Thus, the birth of the conflicts between
liberalism and conservatism and federalism and
centralism was confirmed. The caciques and their
followers supported a liberal system that gave local
autonomy modeled on the federalism of the United
States. They hoped to legalize their powers.