The public realm in community processes of indigenous inhabitants in Mexico

Abstract

Among indigenous communities of Mexico, there exist many important mechanisms for undertaking relevant decisions and actions to achieve common welfare. These processes are part of the public realm that serve to the purpose of  solving problems, and thus contribute to reaffirm identity and communal membership which also strengthens political, economic, social and cultural relations among their members. Participation in community work, assembly and structure of charges are the way that this reaffirmation is expressed. However, in recent years, with the intervention of public policies implemented by different levels of government, and the inclusion of indigenous inhabitants in politic processes in the search for a wider citizen participation and the exercise of their civil rights in a democratic context, the social rules of these indigenous people are being modified affecting their social mechanisms which are the bases of their community structure.