Abstract

GUERRA, Edgar. Armed organization. The operational dynamics of Tepalcatepec’s self-defense groups. Estud. sociol [online]. 2018, vol.36, n.106, pp.99-123. ISSN 2448-6442.  https://doi.org/10.24201/es.2018v36n106.1432.

This article contributes to filling a gap in academic research about armed groups in Mexico in the context of the war on drugs: the “Self-defense” groups of Michoacán. More specifically, we are interested in studying how the decision-making process was structured within these groups. We use as a case study the town of Tepalcatepec during the initial stage of mobilization. Based on a systemic theoretical framework and using a qualitative methodology, we reconstruct the organizational decision-chain from two viewpoints: 1) the formation of a line of command functionally differentiated; 2) the emergence of decision-making processes in a context of tension and conflict.

Keywords : armed groups; violence; criminal organizations; State; drug policies.