The Illusion of Civil Society: Democratization and Community Mobilization in Low-income Mexico

by Shefner, Jon

• ISBN13: 9780271033846
• ISBN10: 0271033843
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2008-12-30
• Publisher: Pennsylvania State Univ Pr

Summary

"Much has been written about how civil society challenges authoritarian governments and helps lead the way to democratization. These studies show that neoliberal economic policies have harmed many sectors of society, weakening the state and undermining clientelistic relationships that previously provided material benefits to middle-and low-income citizens, who are then motivated to organize coalitions to work for greater social justice and equality. Recognizing this important role played by civil society organizations, Jon Shefner goes further and analyzes the variegated nature of the interests represented in these coalitions, arguing that the differences among civil society actors are at least as important as their similarities in explaining how they function and what success, or lack thereof, they have experienced." "Through an ethnographic examination extending over a decade, Shefner tells the story of how a poor community on the urban fringe of Guadalajara mobilized through an organization called the Union de Colonos Independientes (UCI) to work for economic improvement with the support of Jesuits inspired by liberation theology. Yet Mexico's successful formal democratic transition won with the elections in 2000 was followed by the dissolution of the coalition. Neither political access for the urban poor, nor its material well-being, has increased with democratization. The unity and even the concept of civil society thus turned out to be an illusion."--BOOK JACKET.

Author Biography

Jon Shefner is Associate Professor of Sociology and Director of the Interdisciplinary Program in Global Studies at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations	p. ix
Acknowledgments	p. xi
List of Acronyms	p. xiii
In the Streets with Mexico's Democracy Movement	p. 1
From Global Economy to Local Politics	p. 23
Cerro del Cuatro and the Origins of the UCI	p. 53
Mobilizing for Basic Needs	p. 79
Electoral Strategy and the Diminution of Popular Support	p. 109
From Crisis to Survival	p. 131
Democratization and Changing Politics	p. 161
Democratization, Civil Society, and Class Conflict	p. 192
List of References	p. 209
Index	p. 219
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