A Persistent Revolution: History, Nationalism, and Politics in Mexico since 1968

by Randal Sheppard

Overview

Sheppard explores Mexico's profound political, social, and economic changes through the lens of the persistent political power of Mexican revolutionary nationalism. By examining the major events and transformations in Mexico since 1968, he shows how historical myths such as the Mexican Revolution, Benito Juárez, and Emiliano Zapata as well as Catholic nationalism emerged during historical-commemoration ceremonies, in popular social and anti-neoliberal protest movements, and in debates between commentators, politicians, and intellectuals. Sheppard provides a new understanding of developments in Mexico since 1968 by placing these events in their historical context.

The work further contributes to understandings of nationalism more generally by showing how revolutionary nationalism in Mexico functioned during a process of state dismantling rather than state building, and it shows how nationalism could serve as a powerful tool for non-elites to challenge the actions of those in power or to justify new citizenship rights as well as for elites seeking to ensure political stability.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780826358370
Publisher:	University of New Mexico Press
Publication date:	09/15/2018
Pages:	392
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Randal Sheppard is a European Research Council postdoctoral researcher at the University of Cologne, Germany. He is the author of articles on contemporary Mexican history in the journals Latin American Research Review and Nations and Nationalism and has presented his research at conferences in the United States, Germany, Australia, and Latin America.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations vii

Acknowledgments ix

Abbreviations and Acronyms xiii

Introduction Mexico's National Epic 1

Snapshot 1 Dos de octubre no se olvida 23

Chapter 1 Imagining and Inventing Mexico 33

Snapshot 2 JoLoPo and the Bank Nationalization 65

Chapter 2 Making the Revolution Realistic 73

Snapshot 3 iYa es tiempo!: Chihuahua, 1986 97

Chapter 3 Opposing the PRI: Freedom, Democracy, and Revolution 105

Snapshot 4 Independence Day, 1988 137

Chapter 4 Carlos Salinas and Mexico's New Era of Solidarity and Concertación 143

Snapshot 5 ¡Ya basta! 173

Chapter 5 Land, Liberty, and the Mestizo Nation 183

Snapshot 6 Mexico 2010: Let's Celebrate 207

Chapter 6 A New Revolution? 219

Conclusion 249

Notes 261

Bibliography 333

Index 359

Editorial Reviews

"A Persistent Revolution offers an insightful analysis of the historical development of Mexico's revolutionary national mythology and the riddle of the 'perfect dictatorship.' This work provides food for thought about the decline and recomposition of Mexico's distinctive brand of authoritarianism."—Richard Stahler-Sholk, Latin American Perspectives

"Engaging political history."

—Pacific Historical Review

"Highly recommended."—Choice

"Sheppard smartly contributes to an emerging historical literature on Mexico's neoliberal transition, joining the excellent works by Sarah Babb and Louise Walker."—Hispanic American Historical Review

"A memorable, enjoyable, and savvy account of Mexico's democratic transition useful to the general reader—with a sophisticated analysis and masterful historiographic synthesis that will attract students and specialists."—Víctor M. Macías-González, coeditor of Masculinity and Sexuality in Modern Mexico

"Explores the complexities of post-1968 Mexican politics and economy with great clarity. A really outstanding and complex synthesis of Mexican political history, interwoven with social and economic developments, in this time period."—Linda B. Hall, author of Álvaro Obregón: Power and Revolution in Mexico, 1911-1920

From the Publisher