“Our Revolution, which has been heterodox in its forms and manifestations, has nevertheless followed the general lines of all the great historical events of this century characterized by anticolonial struggles and the transition towards socialism.” Che Guevara: Cuba: Exception or Vanguard, 1961
“We are a product of five hundred years of struggle: first, led by insurgents against slavery during the War of Independence with Spain (…) They don’t care that we have nothing, absolutely nothing, not even a roof over our heads. (…) But today we say: ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! General Command of the EZLN: War! First Declaration of the Lacandon Jungle, 1993.
FOURTY-TWO YEARS LIE BETWEEN THESE TWO STATEMENTS, the statements of two Latin-American revolutionaries, equal in charisma, and by a mere coincidence both renown for the smoking materials perpetually accompanying their every moves. Yet far more lies between Che Guevara and Marcos than that the former was a cigar-addict whilst the latter goes nowhere without his pipe. This essay is no contrast between the two. It is neither a character-sketch of Che, nor an analysis of Marcos’ poetry and prose, as the first would be ideal for psychologists, whilst the second task would be better performed in a literature department. Instead, I shall undertake to try and describe the changing fibre of revolutionary social movements in Latin America over the last forty years, explaining how Che Guevara’s legacy, paired with the Sandinistas and other influences led to the emergence of the Zapatistas in today’s Mexico.
In saying this, I shall state here in the introduction that through the research for this essay my initial sympathies towards the Zapatistas, which I developed while seeing them in action in and talking to them in Chiapas, have strengthened. I maintain that it is better to state openly an opinion than to try and conceal it. However, in keeping with Sir Karl Popper, the objectivity should rest not with the person researching, as such a thing is impossible, but in the methodology employed.
The methodology in this essay consists in taking Che Guevara and the Cuban Revolution and the Nicaraguan Sandinistas as preceding case studies, as steps in the history of revolutions towards the Mexican Zapatistas.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. ¡Venceremos!
3. Grassroots Movements and Revolution
4. Para todos todo
5. ¡Ya Basta!
6. Postmodern Guerrillas and the 21st Century’s First Revolution
Objectives and Research Themes
This paper examines the evolution of revolutionary social movements in Latin America over the past forty years, specifically analyzing how the legacies of Che Guevara and the Nicaraguan Sandinistas have influenced the development and strategies of the Zapatista movement in Mexico.
- Evolution of revolutionary theories in Latin America
- Comparative analysis of Marxist, Sandinista, and Zapatista ideologies
- Impact of neoliberalism on social movements in Chiapas
- The role of communication and digital networks in modern uprisings
- Reinventing the concept of political struggle and dignity
Excerpt from the Book
Para todos todo
“¡Hay estrellas, sol y agua para todos. Luchemos por un mundo nuevo, con dignidad, paz y justisticia!” It is difficult to say what exactly the Ejército Zapatista de Liberación Nacional (EZLN) is exactly, but this one sentence, printed on many of the Zapatista posters in Chiapas, Mexico, might as well sum it up equally well as long and deep theoretical analyses do. Neither do the Zapatistas want to fall into any particular category. They hold that definitions are there for the state to apply a fixed set of rules in dealing with them, in other words: tools of power, the very thing the Zapatistas fight. Instead, the simply say: “here we are.”
The organizational roots of the Zapatistas were however very much within the tradition of Marxist-Leninist revolutionary guerrillas, aspiring to overturn the capitalist system and replacing it with a socialist state. These origins date back to 17 November 1983, when three members of the indigenous population and three mestizos started training in the Lacandon Jungle, Chiapas. They continued the tradition of the Fuerzas de Liberación Nacional, a 1970s Marxist guerrilla, which was crushed by the armed forces.
Viewing the Zapatistas solely on this background would imply that they are a Marxist project that simply got carried away, be it intentionally or at random. Its origins however cannot be understood without looking at the development of neoliberalism in Mexico. The 1970s and 1980s saw the emergence of social movements throughout Latin America, i.e. social movements tied to interest groups or fairly focused issues or social groups, such as land reform for the campesinos, feminism, and indigenous rights campaigns. Some of few had the support of parts of the Catholic Church, especially those parts connected with liberation theology.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: The introduction outlines the shift in revolutionary movements in Latin America, noting that objective research is impossible, thus methodological rigor is essential.
¡Venceremos!: This chapter discusses the Cuban Revolution as the foundational case study, highlighting the influence of Marxist theory and Che Guevara's vanguardist approach.
Grassroots Movements and Revolution: This section examines the Nicaraguan Sandinistas, focusing on their shift toward pluralism and a democratic struggle that combined Marxist ideology with liberation theology.
Para todos todo: This chapter introduces the Zapatistas, explaining their organizational roots and their rejection of rigid categorization and traditional state power dynamics.
¡Ya Basta!: This chapter explores the emergence of the Zapatista uprising in 1994, emphasizing their move from traditional Marxist-Leninist models to a community-based, anti-vanguardist struggle for dignity.
Postmodern Guerrillas and the 21st Century’s First Revolution: The final chapter analyzes the Zapatistas' use of media, their rejection of postmodern labels, and their continued focus on a materialist, practice-oriented revolution that challenges neoliberalism.
Keywords
Latin America, Social Movements, Revolution, Zapatistas, EZLN, Che Guevara, Sandinistas, Marxism, Neoliberalism, Chiapas, Subcomandante Marcos, Guerrilla, Political Struggle, Dignity, Pluralism
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research paper?
The paper explores the changing nature of revolutionary social movements in Latin America, focusing on the historical progression from the Cuban Revolution and the Sandinistas to the Zapatista movement in modern Mexico.
What are the key thematic areas covered?
The central themes include the evolution of revolutionary theory, the impact of neoliberalism on indigenous communities, the role of political ideology, and the unique organizational structures of grassroots movements.
What is the primary objective of the work?
The aim is to describe how earlier revolutionary influences and the failure of traditional Marxist-Leninist schemes led to the emergence of the Zapatistas and their specific, non-traditional approach to fighting the state.
Which scientific methodology is utilized?
The author employs a comparative case study methodology, examining specific historical movements as predecessors to the Zapatista movement to trace changes in revolutionary strategy and ideology.
What is discussed in the main body of the text?
The main body traces the history of revolutions, beginning with the Cuban foco model, transitioning to the pluralist approach of the Nicaraguan FSLN, and culminating in the Zapatista rebellion in Chiapas.
How would you characterize the work with keywords?
The work is best characterized by terms like revolutionary struggle, Latin American politics, Zapatismo, Marxist theory, and indigenous rights.
How do the Zapatistas differ from traditional Marxist-Leninist groups?
Unlike traditional groups that aim to seize state power through a vanguard party, the Zapatistas operate as an anti-vanguardist movement that focuses on "commanding by obeying" and fighting power rather than trying to occupy it.
What role does "dignity" play in the Zapatista movement?
Dignity is the central pillar of the Zapatista struggle, representing a rejection of the dehumanizing effects of neoliberalism and the assertion that there is no alternative but to rebel against systemic inequality.
- Quote paper
- Nicholas Williams (Author), 2006, Reinventing Revolution: The changing nature of Latin American Social Movements, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/127231
