The Chiapas Uprising in Mexico represents different things to different people. For some it symbolizes the cries for social justice by the indigenous peoples of Chiapas. Others may see it as just another anti-globalization movement by a working class within a developing nation. Either view may or may not be true, but I think one thing these views lack is the movement's recognition of their government's legitimacy. This view seems important because when I think of uprisings, especially those in developing countries like Mexico, I think of violence and terrorist like activities. Granted the Chiapas Uprising has seen its fair share of bloodshed, most of the killing has been done by the government or those sympathetic to the government's cause. Despite the government's oppressive means for dealing with the situation, the leaders of the Chiapas Uprising continue to seek reform with no desire to overthrow the government. What they seek is land reform and civil rights that they believe should be written into Mexico's constitution. In this paper I will analyze the Chiapas Uprising by explaining its history as well as the current struggles that the movement still faces. I will conclude with why the movement's recognition of the current government's legitimacy is rather unique and also vital.
Chiapas has long been known for providing most of Mexico's resources as well as a home for many indigenous peoples, including the Mayans. Though Chiapas is rich in resources, it is the poorest state in Mexico and among the poorest places in all of Latin America. For example, over fifty percent of the people in Chiapas live without running or potable water. This might lead one to ask, "Well if Chiapas is so rich in resources, why are most of the people so poor?- For starters, approximately one percent of the population, consisting primarily of European descendant elites, own more than fifty percent of the land in Chiapas.
