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Rethinking Civil Society in the Age of NAFTA: The Case of Mexico

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  • Jon Shefner

    (Interdisciplinary Program in Global Studies at the University of Tennessee)

Abstract

This article offers an analysis and critique of the concept of civil society and its relationship to neoliberalism as an economic and political project. The author argues that the high level of imprecision in the usage of civil society has enabled both opponents and advocates of neoliberal policies to claim it. We forget that civil society must be understood as a stratified body whose members occupy specific class positions and, therefore, contend for control of vital resources. The author's critique is largely based on the ignoring of class among those who study the intersection of neoliberalism and civil society. In the second part of this article, the author offers an illustration by focusing on Mexico's recent history of democratization in tandem with the application of neoliberal policies.

Suggested Citation

  • Jon Shefner, 2007. "Rethinking Civil Society in the Age of NAFTA: The Case of Mexico," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 610(1), pages 182-200, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:anname:v:610:y:2007:i:1:p:182-200
    DOI: 10.1177/0002716206296797
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Carr, Barry & Anzaldúa Montoya, Ricardo, 1986. "The Mexican Left, The Popular Movements, and the Politics of Austerity," University of California at San Diego, Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies qt1nq463dq, Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies, UC San Diego.
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    Cited by:

    1. Paul K. Gellert, 2007. "From Managed to Free(r) Markets: Transnational and Regional Governance of Asian Timber," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 610(1), pages 246-259, March.
    2. Patricia Fernández-Kelly & Douglas S. Massey, 2007. "Borders for Whom? The Role of NAFTA in Mexico-U.S. Migration," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 610(1), pages 98-118, March.

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