The Mexican Narcostate, Ayotzinapa and the Global Rebirth of Transformative Democracy

The Mexican Narcostate, Ayotzinapa and the Global Rebirth of Transformative Democracy - John M. Ackerman Lecture at the Vienna University -"Ayotzinapa: Mexico awakens" It would be hard to find a better place than Mexico for renewing transformative politics and social change in the 21st century. The recent uprising in Mexico in demand for justice for the missing students of the Ayotzinapa teacher's college simultaneously calls to us from a time before the Russian Revolution and after the closure of the Cold War. This surprising historical bridge creates an invaluable opportunity to mend the great rift of the 20th century between liberal democracy and social revolution. Recent events demonstrate that the dominant views of Mexico as either a chaotic narco-wasteland or a poster child for political, economic and cultural “modernization” are terribly mistaken. Mexico is not an example of a failed-state or a successful market, but of the stubborn presence of mobilized society inspired by a time old commitment to social justice and equality. John M. Ackerman is a Professor at the Institute for Legal Research of the National Autonomous University of Mexico. He is an expert in Latin American politics, U.S.-Mexico relations, constitutional law, democratic transitions and social movements. Ackerman is a bi-weekly columnist for the newsweekly Proceso and the daily La Jornada and frequently contributes commentary to leading international media outlets such as New York Times, Süddeutsche Zeitung and Le Monde Diplomatique. More informations: https://colectivoaccionsolidaria.wordpress.com/