Local Diversity to Contend with Globalization in Oaxaca, Mexico

This research paper examines the tension between centralism and decentralization in Mexico, focusing on the state of Oaxaca. It discusses how the diversity of local governments, particularly indigenous municipalities governed by traditional customs, must navigate the pressures of globalization and trade liberalization to achieve sustainable local development.

• Mexico has historically struggled with a conflict between centralism and federalism. Although formally a federative republic, in practice, 'centralization (presidentialism) has characterized the organization of the different levels of government,' leaving state and municipal governments as 'mere implementers of the policies dictated by the federal executive.'
• Oaxaca exhibits significant local government diversity, with 570 municipalities representing 23.3% of all municipalities in Mexico. Of these, 418 are indigenous municipalities that 'choose their authorities by usages and customs,' while 152 use the political party system.
• Indigenous populations in Oaxaca have developed a social organization based on 'communality,' utilizing models of reciprocity and compulsory community services (tequio) to survive shared poverty. This has extended to migrant populations who form binational organizations like the Frente Indígena Oaxaqueña Binacional (FIOB) and Red Internacional de Indígenas Oaxaqueños (RIIO).
• Indigenous producers in Oaxaca have established organizations to manage production and marketing, specifically citing the Coordinadora Estatal de Productores de Café de Oaxaca (CEPCO) and the Unión de Comunidades Indígenas de la Región del Istmo (UCIRI).
• The World Bank-supported Municipal Funds program aimed to distribute resources on a non-discretional basis. While a gain, it risked 'strengthening local governments that were not accountable' and led to the removal of some community participation requirements in the name of municipal autonomy.
• Oaxaca's legal framework is noted for its advancement in indigenous rights, including a 1995 constitutional amendment recognizing the right to elect authorities via 'usages and customs' and the implementation of the Law on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
• The 1996 San Andrés Agreements on Indigenous Rights and Culture recognized the right of indigenous communities to designate representatives 'in keeping with the institutions and traditions of each people,' an approach that had already been officially recognized in Oaxaca since 1995.
• The author argues that sustainability is incompatible with a globalization that produces 'cultural homogeneity and environmental destruction.' Achieving sustainability requires equitable wealth distribution and 'enthusiastic participation of citizens, authorities, and enterprises' to define local development.

APA

Farrera, F. M. (2002). Local Diversity to Contend with Globalization in Oaxaca, Mexico. World Resources Institute. http://wriorg.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/pdf/eaa_decent_melo.pdf

Chicago

Farrera, Fernando Melo. Local Diversity to Contend with Globalization in Oaxaca, Mexico. World Resources Institute, 2002. http://wriorg.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/pdf/eaa_decent_melo.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Farrera |first1=Fernando Melo |title=Local Diversity to Contend with Globalization in Oaxaca, Mexico |publisher=World Resources Institute |date=February 2002 |url=http://wriorg.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/pdf/eaa_decent_melo.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{farrera2002local, author = {Farrera, Fernando Melo}, title = {{Local Diversity to Contend with Globalization in Oaxaca, Mexico}}, institution = {World Resources Institute}, year = {2002}, month = feb, url = {http://wriorg.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/pdf/eaa_decent_melo.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }