Social strategies and public policies in an indigenous zone in Chiapas, Mexico.
Abstract
This article examines emerging forms of participation in a variety of spaces in Chiapas, in the south of Mexico, situated within a complex socio-political context. A range of different relations between marginalised groups, social movements, and the government are articulated through experiences of participation both in created and invited spaces. The Zapatista movement has fostered changes in relationships between marginalised groups, including indigenous people and women, and the state - particularly the national government and regional development programmes created during the last several years. These regional programmes represent the national government's position on important issues, including the nature of socio-economic regional development, indigenous people's rights, and the protection of environmentally sensitive areas. Differences and commonalities in participation in spaces created by the Zapatista movement in autonomous municipalities, versus participation in formalised spaces within the government's regional development programmes provide some important insights about the role of participation in bringing about change.
Citation
IDS Bulletin - Vol 35 No 2, pp. 76-83 [DOI: 10.1111/j.1759-5436.2004.tb00124.x]
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