The Struggle Behind the Formation of Autonomous Communities: The Role of Zapatista Leadership in Non-Violent Social Change and Future Implications in Mexico

Abstract

On January 1st 1994, the Zapatista Army of National Liberation (EZLN), an indigenous armed organization, declared war on the Mexican Government, demanding fundamental social and political rights. This paper aims to analyze innumerous catalysts for the shift from armed rebellion to non-violent social change. Following their 1994 rebellion in Chiapas, Mexico, the EZLN faced a stalemate with the government. This research aims to explain the major factors that encouraged people of Chiapas, Mexico for an uprising, by highlighting interests and demands of indigenous people and as well as Mexican government’s response to them. It also dives into different strategies and methods of non-violent Activism used by indigenous people with the help of Zapatista leadership. The research tends to highlight the importance of EZLN movement to be an eye-opening event for both the Mexican Government and the non-indigenous population as a realization of the alarming situation of the indigenous people in Chiapas, Mexico.  Mexico, predominately being a democratic country has now been exposed to such autonomous communities as a potential threat for the government if this expansion continues. This paper is based on question that how the struggle of the indigenous people led to nonviolent Social Changes and formation of autonomous communities under self-governance. It will also explore its potential to sustain further in future and possibility of expansion of these autonomous communities to other parts of Mexico. The research is based mainly on secondary sources as a means of collection of data by consulting online books, articles and sources.