Constitución Política de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos
The Political Constitution of the United Mexican States, enacted on 5 February 1917, is the supreme law of Mexico and one of the first constitutions in the world to enshrine social rights. Born from the Mexican Revolution (1910-1920), the Constitution established Mexico as a federal republic composed of 32 entities (31 states and Mexico City). It contains 136 articles organized into nine titles, covering individual rights, the organization of powers (Executive, Legislative, and Judiciary), the rights of workers, education, national sovereignty, and the federal system. The Constitution has been amended extensively, particularly in the areas of human rights, energy reform, and political rights.
Legal area: Constitutional law establishes the framework of government, the division of powers, and the protection of fundamental rights.
Year enacted: 1917
Full text: https://www.diputados.gob.mx/LeyesBiblio/htm/constitucion_politica.htm
Key Provisions
- Art. 1: Human rights guarantee (amparo and protection of rights)
- Art. 3: Right to education (secular, free, and compulsory)
- Art. 4: Social rights (health, housing, environment, food)
- Art. 24: Freedom of religion and worship
- Art. 27: National ownership of land and natural resources (ejido system)
- Art. 123: Workers’ rights (minimum wage, collective bargaining, social security)
- Art. 73-74: Legislative powers of the federal Congress
- Art. 89-93: Federal Executive powers and limits
Significance
The 1917 Constitution is a landmark document in global constitutional history, being the first to include comprehensive social and labor rights. Article 27’s land reform provisions reshaped Mexican agriculture through the ejido system. Article 123 provided workers with protections that were ahead of their time internationally. The Constitution has been amended over 700 times, reflecting Mexico’s political evolution. It serves as the legal foundation for the country’s transition to democratic governance and market-oriented economic reforms.