Mezcala: construcción de autonomía. Balance de retos y propuestas frente al neoliberalismo

Abstract

This article contributes to the analysis, reflection, and propagation of the experiences of indigenous communities facing neoliberal states. It goes beyond theoretical perspectives, which are linked here to an empirical study based on the adoption and implementation of neoliberal policies by the Mexican state in a specific locality. This reading is based on the author's fieldwork, begun in July 2008, with the indigenous community of Mezcala, Jalisco, which employed participant observation, media collection and interviews. In order to highlight the contributions, challenges and shortcomings of this community, the article balances, on the one hand, the consequences of neoliberal policies and the power relations and institutions that maintain this community and support these policies; and, on the other hand, the conflicts that have truncated and permeated or prevented government plans, as well as the extent of community actions seeking to construct an autonomous project.