The Sociologist Building Indigenous Customary Democratic Communities: Uses and Customs in Matatlán, Oaxaca, Mexico.

• In Event: Sociology of Indigenous Peoples and Native Nations Section Roundtable

Abstract

This work analyzes the limitations of sociological knowledge in effectively influencing the transformation of contemporary social problems, especially in contexts marked by globalization, neoliberalism, and political polarization. It focuses on the direct indigenous democracies of Oaxaca, Mexico, particularly the system of “uses and customs” and the “cargo system” a community institution based on service, a rotating hierarchy, and decision-making by consensus in assembly.

Although this system was legally recognized in 1997 as a legitimate form of political-electoral organization, it currently faces processes of transformation and weakening stemming from migration, religious diversification, the decentralization of public resources, and the growing influence of political parties. These dynamics have fostered practices of centralization, opacity, and manipulation of power, affecting community cohesion and self-governance.

Based on the case study of Matatlán, Oaxaca, the relevance of the linguistic dimension is underscored, given the predominance of Zapotec and the conditions of monolingualism. It is proposed that sociology assume a more active role through interpretive training in indigenous languages ​​that allows for an understanding of local political processes, counteracts practices of domination, and strengthens community democracies from a critical and applied perspective.

Authors

• JUAN ANTONIO BAUTISTA, Universidad de Guanajuato

• Alejandra Anahit Antonio José, Programa doctoral Colegio de Postgraduados