Global Activism

Constructing Mutuality: The Zapatistas' Transformation of Transnational Activist Power Dynamics

“…Lately, many writers have noted a qualitative change in left-wing alliances-Zapatismo in particular-toward what they call mutual, reciprocal, or horizontal solidarity (Waterman 1999;Eterovic and Smith 2001;Reitan 2007). Leyva Solano contends that Zapatista sympathizers' various forms of relating to the movement have broadened the meaning of solidarity.…”

“…As Reitan (2007) points out, social movement scholars have long recognized that in spite of their altruistic intentions and promise to provide important resources, what McCarthy and Zald (1977) call "conscious constituents" can undermine poor peoples' movements by refusing to provide crucial resources or abandoning their beneficiaries at key moments. In contrast to those who highlight direct action networks, some writers (Alvarez 1999;Bebbington 1996;Thayer 2009) argue that Southern grassroots movements and NGOs have become increasingly dependent on scarce Northern resources.…”

“…5 Extreme cases like the Zapatistas, along with a handful of similar examples in which Southern groups have defied the power of Northern donations, such as the farmers' network Via Campesina, the Peoples' Global Alliance, and the Rural Women Workers' Movement (MMTR) in Brazil (e.g., Thayer 2001;Wood 2004;Reitan 2007), help illustrate the limits and possibilities for Southern movements to influence Northern allies.…”

“…Their partners include nongovernmental organizations, think tanks, filmmakers, tourists, scholars, students, feminists, neighborhood movements, farmers, and indigenous organizations (Leyva Solano 2001). Some of these groups materially or politically support the movement; others share experiences and coordinate common campaigns; still others take strategic or ideological inspiration from the Zapatistas (Reitan 2007;Swords 2007).…”

“…Hinting at a natural convergence among leftists worldwide, writers such as Evans (2008) suggest that by joining forces, progressive activists North and South minimize their vulnerability in a common struggle against an entrenched, dominant order. Shared identities, others argue, are increasingly foundational to and potent for organizing transnational activism (Waterman 1999;Reitan 2007).…”