This thesis analyzes the work, identity and collective action configurations of taxi drivers in Mexico City, from a reconstructive theoretical and methodological perspective based on the link between structure, subjectivity and action.It recognizes who the taxi drivers are, what their working conditions are and how they develop their occupation, to rebuild the work relations present in the activity and the identity configurations with their occupation, with the operators community and their associations, articulating the main codes of five fields of social relations -work, labor organization, family, urban space and recreation-that influence its conformation. It shows how these codes while providing a sense of belonging, divide taxi drivers in different groups. The study exposes the continuities and discontinuities in its constitution.Afterwards, it explores the link between the identity configurations -in relation to other codes, especially some of the Mexican political culture-with the taxi drivers' organizations and the collective action developed by them in recent years.The analysis notes how the dispute over control, in other words, the pursuit of freedom, becomes the code that articulates work, identity and collective action.In sum, on one hand, the study allows to know, to reconstruct and to analyze the empirical reality of this sector of workers. On the other, it broadens the theoretical and conceptual discussion about work relations, identity and collective action of non-classical workers.

While the end of corporatism has been frequently announced, we argue that in Mexico it persists under contemporary neo-liberalism, albeit with new characteristics. To explore these characteristics, we use the concept of corporatism in a broader sense. That is, we assume that it not only involves relationships between trade unions, business associations and the state, but also with other civil society organisations. For our study, this includes informal worker organisations, in particular of taxi drivers and street vendors. We analyse these organisations, their relationship with the work itself (especially the occupation of public space) and their linkages with local government. We conclude that while some organisations remain independent of government control, many are imbricated in corporate relationships with the state, giving rise to an informal corporatism. Finally, we reflect on the special features this informal corporatism shows.

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