Abstract

HERNANDEZ DIAZ, Jorge. The local community as a reaffirmation of indigenous autonomy. Rev. pueblos front. digit. [online]. 2013, vol.8, n.16, pp.186-217. ISSN 1870-4115.  https://doi.org/10.22201/cimsur.18704115e.2013.16.77.

The claim of autonomy for indigenous peoples is expressed differently in each Mexican state. In Oaxaca, this claim overlaps demands for greater municipal independence. Paradoxically, in this case, the municipality is an scope in which different local communities contend in search of respect for their own government and forms of social organization. Historically speaking, the local community, based on territory and other identity-related contents, was constituted after the Spanish Conquest. Throughout time, and facing various vicissitudes, the local community has maintained its specificities both legally and in practice. This article describes the process through which local autonomy has been forged and argues that in the case of Oaxaca, autonomy acquires greater relevance at the level of the local communities.

Keywords : local government; indigenous autonomy; municipality.

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