Insurgent Civilians: The Only Known Victors Against Neoliberalism and Authoritarianism

A Case Study of the Zapatistas

Feb 21, 2024

In an era where the twin forces of neoliberalism and authoritarianism seem to have tightened their grip on the global stage, a remarkable counter-narrative has emerged. This narrative is not authored by powerful nations or influential global institutions, but by insurgent citizens—grassroots movements and collectives that have defied the odds to push back against these pervasive ideologies. Across various corners of the globe, these groups have emerged as beacons of resistance, proving that people-powered movements can indeed make a significant impact.

The significance of these movements cannot be overstated. In a world increasingly characterized by economic inequality, environmental degradation, and the erosion of democratic norms, the successes of these insurgent citizens offer not just hope but tangible examples of how determined collectives of individuals can effect change. Their struggles and victories highlight the power of solidarity, the importance of local autonomy, and the potential for a global network of resistance against the forces that threaten the fabric of our societies.

Case Study: The Zapatistas

The Zapatista movement, originating in the Chiapas region of Mexico in the early 1990s, has long been a symbol of indigenous resistance and autonomy. Their struggle encompasses the defense of their land, culture, and rights against various forms of encroachment, including corporations, neoliberal governments, and more recently drug cartels, which have become a significant issue in many parts of Mexico.

What happens when corporations, big agriculture, cartels and neoliberal governments collude to squeeze the life out of the land and its original inhabitants, and their way-of-life? This is what civilization does by default. It has no choice. It needs those resources… if not now, soon.

The results have varied, but generally it has not gone well for indigenous people. Here’s the story of traditional people in Mexico who decided enough was enough. We’ll start with a little history penned in 1994 by an American journalist.

Preconditions: When is it Enough?

“The Mayan tribes that inhabit the forests and secluded valleys of Chiapas have suffered without much relief since the Spanish Conquest 500 years ago; only the specifics of their misery have changed with the layers of history. Despite the rhetoric of the 1910 Mexican Revolution, the Indians were excluded from its benefits, however meager and stunted. For the most part they could not own land even when land reform laws were passed. They survived by subsistence farming, supplemented with a bit of cash from coffee, corn, and other agricultural commodities. And all the while they were brutally repressed by the “European” police, landlords, ranchers, and politicians of the dynastic PRI — the party that is revolutionary in name only and has ruled as a virtual dictatorship.
Things started going from bad to very bad for the peasants in the late 1980s when coffee prices slumped — not by an act of God or chance, but because President Bush orchestrated an end to the stable commodity markets to enforce his free-market ideology. Cappuccino drinkers in Seattle rejoiced; small coffee growers in Chiapas suffered.
About the same time, the Mexican government began speeding up its “modernization” program, which entailed across-the-board privatization of the economy and integration of the resulting structure into the US-led global system. In Chiapas, for instance, peasants could get ownership title or credit for their once-communal plots of land. Many took credit, but without a market for their surplus the land was soon foreclosed — and, with government and police help, wound up in the hands of big cattle ranchers. The Indians were pushed farther into the Chiapan rain forest, where they slashed and burned the land simply to survive for a few years — until that conveniently cleared land was grabbed by the ranchers. The Mayans inevitably have been forced to give up their life on the land (tiny Chiapas, with 3,000,000 inhabitants and thousands of refugees from the long war in Guatemala, has the highest indigenous population in the country ) and join the city slum dwellers. Ultimately, the laws of population hydraulics push commensurate numbers of displaced and desperate people over the border to El Norte.”

-Andrew Kopkind, “Opening Shots” The Nation, January 31 1994.

This report only nicks the surface about the oppression of indigenous people in Mexico, and particularly the people in Chiapas. There are volumes of works on the topic, and I’ll include some names at the bottom of this post. What I want to focus on is the concepts that lead to the protection of their lands, traditions and their liberation and the importance it has globally today.

Insurgents Won, Autonomy Won

Against the backdrop of neoliberal policies and the signing of NAFTA, which threatened their way of life and land rights, the Zapatistas rose in defiance on January 1, 1994. This marked the beginning of a movement that would not only challenge the Mexican government and global corporate interests but also inspire a global solidarity network.

Their victory is not defined by a single event but by the sustained achievements and ongoing struggle for self-determination and dignity. Through their uprising, the Zapatistas were able to carve out autonomous municipalities, known as "caracoles," where they have established their own systems of governance, education, and healthcare, independent of the Mexican state. These zones stand as living examples of what communities can achieve outside the parameters of neoliberal dictates, prioritizing the needs and voices of the people over profit.

Moreover, the Zapatistas' victory is embodied in their ability to maintain their resistance and autonomy in the face of continued aggression and attempts at co-optation. They have successfully navigated internal and external challenges, from military attacks to neoliberal encroachments, ensuring the survival and growth of their movement.

Perhaps the most significant aspect of the Zapatistas' victory is the beacon of hope they have become for resistance movements worldwide. Their struggle has shown that it is possible to confront and challenge the forces of globalization and neoliberalism, inspiring others to imagine and fight for a world where many worlds fit.

In essence, the Zapatistas' victory is ongoing, marked by their resilience, the establishment of autonomous governance, and the inspiration they provide to global movements for justice and autonomy.

The Insurgent Civilians: Guardians of the Movement

Definition and Role within the Zapatista Resistance

Insurgent civilians, within the context of the Zapatista movement, emerge as a formidable force, embodying the convergence of community and resistance. Unlike conventional insurgents, these individuals don’t operate solely on the fringes as armed rebels; instead, they stand at the heart of the community, weaving resistance into the very fabric of daily life. Their role extends beyond the mere act of taking up arms; they are the custodians of autonomy, culture, and environmental stewardship. By integrating the ethos of resistance into education, agriculture, and communal governance, they ensure that the struggle is not just fought on the battlefront but lived in the everyday.

The Dual Life of Zapatista Supporters

Zapatista supporters navigate a complex existence, balancing the responsibilities of community life with the demands of an insurgent. This duality is not a burden but a profound expression of their resistance. In their farms, schools, and cooperatives, they enact the very principles they fight for, creating models of sustainable living and self-governance that defy the encroachments of industrial civilization. Their dual roles underscore a critical insight: true resistance is not momentary but a sustained way of life that challenges prevailing systems through alternative practices.

The Concept of "Insurgent Civilians" in Indigenous Resistance

The term "insurgent civilian" might evoke images of militarization, yet, in the Zapatista context, it signifies something profoundly different. It represents the mobilization of ordinary citizens—not as mere foot soldiers, but as empowered actors in a collective struggle for self-determination and environmental justice. This concept challenges traditional notions of militarism and insurgency, proposing instead a form of resistance deeply rooted in community values and ecological sustainability.

The insurgent civilian, therefore, is not defined by the weapon they may carry but by the world they strive to create. Their resistance is a testament to the power of indigenous communities to stand against the forces of destruction and dislocation brought about by industrial civilization. Through their lived commitment to the movement’s ideals, they offer not just a critique of the existing order but a tangible glimpse into possible futures grounded in justice, autonomy, and harmony with the earth.

In this light, the Zapatista movement illuminates a path forward for global resistance efforts, demonstrating that the fight against oppressive systems can be interwoven with the construction of viable alternatives.

The insurgent civilian (examples abound from around the planet) stands as a beacon of hope, showing that even in the face of overwhelming challenges, it is possible to live the resistance, fostering communities that are resilient, self-sufficient, and deeply connected to their land and culture.

Documentaries

Big thanks to

Peter d'Errico

for recommending this link that lists several documentaries and where to watch them.

A Place Called Chiapas
Zapatista
Caminantes
Heart Of Time / Corazón Del Tiempo
The Spokeswoman / La Vocera
La Montaña

The narrative below captures a fictionalized essence of their commitment to safeguarding their communities, inspired by their ethos and reported activities over the years.

Guardians of the Land

In the dim light of dawn, under the dense canopy of the Lacandon Jungle, a small group of Zapatista citizen defense personnel quietly patrols the periphery of their autonomous community. They move with purpose, each step deliberate, blending into the verdant landscape as if they were an integral part of it. These men and women, wearing balaclavas adorned with the emblematic red star, carry not just their resolve but the weight of their people's history and the future of their land.

Their leader, a seasoned figure known as Comandante Esperanza, gestures for the group to halt and kneel. They are not soldiers in the traditional sense but farmers, teachers, and artisans who have taken on the mantle of protectors. The threat of encroaching cartels looms large, seeking to infiltrate these lands to cultivate their illicit crops or establish routes for trafficking, threatening the community's way of life and their very existence.

"Remember, we are not just guarding soil," Esperanza whispers, her voice firm yet imbued with an almost palpable warmth. "We protect our autonomy, our rights to live as we have decided, in harmony with the earth that sustains us. We stand against those who see only profit where we see life."

The patrol resumes its movement, eyes and ears tuned to the slightest anomaly. The Zapatistas' knowledge of their territory is unparalleled, each path and river etched into their collective memory, a formidable advantage against those who would seek to exploit their resources.

As the sun breaks the horizon, casting a golden light through the trees, the patrol encounters signs of attempted intrusion: disturbed foliage and footprints leading toward the heart of their land. With practiced efficiency, they track the intruders, a small group of cartel scouts, and manage to intercept them without violence, using their intimate knowledge of the terrain to outmaneuver and dissuade them.

The confrontation ends with the cartel members retreating, outwitted and warned. The Zapatistas do not seek conflict but stand ready to defend their community's sovereignty and the principles of justice, equality, and respect for the earth that define their struggle.

As the patrol returns to their village, their presence is a silent testament to their resilience. Their action today is but one of many in the ongoing defense of their autonomy. It's a reminder that their struggle is not only against the physical encroachment of cartels but against the erosion of their culture and freedoms.

In the heart of Chiapas, the Zapatista communities continue to flourish, a beacon of resistance and a proof of the power of collective action in the face of adversity. Theirs is a fight not for territory alone but for a different way of living, one rooted in dignity, equity, and a profound connection to the land they call home.

-Fictional narrative by Justin McAffee