"Political scientist Merilee Grindle, the new director of Harvard’s David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies, has been studying Mexican politics for 30 years. She spoke with María Cristina Caballero about why the current electoral turmoil is good for Mexico and why who becomes president isn’t the most important issue for the country.

CABALLERO: What is your analysis of the situation in Mexico regarding the standoff between Calderón and Lopez Obrador?
Merilee Grindle: I wouldn’t say that Mexico’s political system is in crisis. I would say that Mexico is doing very well learning about democratic institutions and how they work. There has been a significant amount of interest in verifying the electoral outcome. But I think that is an important part of a democratic electoral experience. I think that unless there is violence, this is a very positive democratic experience for Mexico. Issues can be debated and people can make their choices; they can disagree but there are processes to solve the conflicts."