Abstract

ACOSTA CHAVEZ, Marcela. The Quiptic Ta Lecubtesel: Autonomy and Collective Action. Nueva antropol [online]. 2003, vol.19, n.63, pp.115-135. ISSN 0185-0636.

This article investigates a collectivity that, despite its organizational importance in the zone, has until now not been much explored: the Quiptic Ta Lecubtesel (United through our Strength). The Quiptic is an organization that has existed for 27 years in the Lacandonia, dating back to 1975, and became the Rural Association of Collective Interest (ARIC) in 1988. This organization has not been Zapatista, but neither can it be considered pro-government nor paramilitary in the service of local Cacique interests. In the first part of the article, concepts are looked for in social theory that can help interpret how collective action and autonomy is made manifest in the organization. The second part seeks the origins of the Quiptic; in the third part, the author describes the orientation of its collective action and finally, in the fourth section, he points out the pressures it has been under and the mechanisms that have allowed it to maintain its autonomy.

Keywords : organization; collective action; autonomy; orientation.