Anthropology and Cooperatives

Abstract

This article, inspired by June Nash’s provocative vision of postmodern times in Chiapas, looks at how anthropologists have traced the changing nature of grassroots organizations to suggest that we need to see cooperatives and other local organizations in a new way, as ephemeral associations. Through the example of how the cooperative imaginary has informed different development programs in Mexico’s recent history, from the early cooperative movement in the 19th century to the 21st century, it explores the idea that the institutional arrangements of the recent past have given way to a state of constant flux. A new volatility is at the heart of both the organizations and their surrounding environment, so that local organizations now have to re-invent themselves constantly, to keep up with global and local changes. Through a case study of weavers’ cooperatives in Chiapas, the article points at their internal flexibility and fragility in the current climate of little support for the projects and activities of rural producers and the urban poor.

“We Are Daughters of the Sea”: Strategies, Gender, and Empowerment in a Mexican Women's Cooperative

“…Cooperatives have a long history in Mexico and other parts of the world, and many anthropologists have investigated the form's possibilities, limits, and variations (for example, see Acheson ; Grimes and Milgram ; Nash ; Wade ). Cooperatives in Mexico have varied in popularity, policy, and effectiveness depending on national politics and international development policies, such as structural adjustment programs and the current trend toward neoliberal economics (Vargas Cetina ).…”

Surgimiento, formación y persistencia de organizaciones sociales para la pesca ribereña de la península de Baja California

“…Fuente: elaboración propia. Existen factores internos y externos que influyen en la constitución y persistencia de las osp en la península de Baja California (Bonin et al 1993;Vargas Cetina 2005;Velasco Alcántara 2007). La "lógica interna" del pescador es el elemento más inmediato que ayuda a su formación (Bonin et al 1993;Velasco Alcántara 2007).…”

“…También los requisitos institucionales juegan un papel importante en la decisión de los pescadores para conformar su propia organización. En conjunto con estos factores internos, las agencias de gobierno y las ong actúan como catalizadores para constituir dichas agrupaciones (Alcalá 2003;Vargas Cetina 2005;Velasco Alcántara 2007). Y aunque no son los únicos ni los más importantes, constan en la literatura y representan los aspectos que esta investigación señala como sobresalientes en su conformación y permanencia.…”

La ecología política feminista y cooperativas dirigidas por mujeres rurales en Hidalgo, México

“…Although some cooperative efforts are ephemeral (Vargas-Cetina, 2005) others show continuity and develop agency to address structural inequities and access resources. They appropriate public and parcela, los servicios, la maquila (González, 1999) y en labores comunitarias.…”

“…Aunque algunos esfuerzos cooperativos son efímeros (Vargas-Cetina, 2005) private funds (Cruz-Torres, 2012). The groups adapt resources to their needs and political contexts (Eber, 1999) and internally develop bonds of solidarity.…”