Popular Mobilization in Mexico
The Teachers' Movement 1977–87

This book explores the process of popular mobilisation in contemporary Mexico through the experience of the country's most important popular organisation - the teachers' movement. It creates a distinctive perspective on Mexican politics and makes an interesting contribution to the study of popular or 'social' movements. This in-depth study of a popular movement in Latin America provides a richly detailed account of its organisation, leadership, strategic choices, and factional divisions. Through its innovative methods, which produce an unusual and compelling blend of fact and theory, the book uncovers the motivations and mechanisms of popular mobilization, as well as explaining its interactions with national politics in Mexico and beyond.

Preface; Glossary of acronyms; Introduction: the character and context of popular mobilization in contemporary Mexico; Part I. Popular Movement and Syndical Struggle: 1. Teachers as political actors; 2. The original impetus; 3. The institutional terrain; Part II. Inside the Movement in Chiapas: 4. Leadership and grass roots; 5. Strategic choices; 6. Factional strife; Part III. National Mobilization and System Responses: 7. Regional movements; 8. Institutional controls; 9. Popular strategies; Part IV. Popular Movements and Political Change: 10. Institutional linkage; 11. The political system; 12. The political meaning of popular movements; Bibliography; Index.