Against Impunity: The Decline of the Mexican Social Compact, Part I

This report, “Against Impunity,” is the first of two devoted to an extended examination of the condition of the social compact, or the bonds of social solidarity, in Mexico. The second report, focused on the struggles against neoliberalism, will be published in September. As this issue makes clear, Mexico suffers from a long and resilient tradition of impunity. On the other, more hopeful side of the coin, Mexican history is replete with stories of the rekindling of resistance: the movements that have arisen to confront impunity. These movements, along with the continuing attempts to democratize Mexican politics at all levels, are all manifestations of social solidarity. They are attempts to construct and reconstruct a declining social compact. They are movements against impunity.

May/June
2008
Volume: 
41
Number: 
3