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 their
material well-being, has increased with democratization. The unity
and even the concept of civil society has thus turned out to be an
illusion.
General
Imprint: |
Pennsylvania State University Press
|
Country of origin: |
United States |
Release date: |
June 2012 |
First published: |
May 2008 |
Authors: |
Jon Shefner
|
Dimensions: |
229 x 152 x 17mm (L x W x T) |
Format: |
Paperback - Trade
|
Pages: |
240 |
ISBN-13: |
978-0-271-03385-3 |
Categories: |
Books >
Social sciences >
Politics & government >
General
|
LSN: |
0-271-03385-1 |
Barcode: |
9780271033853 |
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