Its powers remain multiple and unchallenged, from the president's appointing of regional governors, mayors and village headmen right down to police officers' virtual immunity from punishment if they happen to maltreat suspects.
Look at the market value of internet franchises like Facebook, Google and Baidu, not that their headmen collect art early on, but sooner or later they turn out sometime collectors like Bill Gates, but not the media honcho of Mexico, Carlos Slim, who works hard giving away his wealth.