Economic Development from the Margins: Lessons from Chiapas

摘要: Abstract This article addresses the problems associated with economic community development in marginal communities within Less Developed Nations, using complex case of groups a conflictive region state Chiapas, Mexico. It shows how all parties to must negotiate each other and forces at play these similar situations, order overcome many obstacles. also explores role social scientists debate about what can be done maintain improve viability rural economies (other than out-migration), do so sustainable equitable manner. closes calling for some means "knowledge fund" accumulate lessons works fails such efforts. WHO IS HELPING? NGOs New World Order In recent U.S. Census report serious underestimation undocumented as compared new 2000 data, news did not surprise people living here. As major cities throughout Latin America Third World, we are experiencing fall-out declining agricultural around world, population that until very recently were earth's numerical majority. No global problem remains perniciously pervasive poverty marginalized areas globe, especially those places devastated by socioeconomic changes last two decades out-migration industrialized "North" has come nearly only viable basis their current economies. With rise free trade agreements globalization, conditions continue deteriorate, services policies once buffered globalization impacts on low-income have been scaled back or removed. The private sector, theorized replace government greater profitability efficiency, is typically no where found, there rarely sufficient incentive. What replaced organizational impact government, less developed Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs). These organizations proliferated become significant force change parts yet cases know much it they do, well it, could learned from approaches margins. Moreover, I argue below, structure NGO's allows production information serve refine perfect kinds interventions will truly aid risk. Organizational goals methods vary enormously. There often little coordination efforts, highly competitive, ideologically narrow vision, lacking ability interest sharing learned. Yet communities, is, process improving knowledge conditions. Many bring them views visions work setting variance attempting help, potentials sources aid. If pinning hopes NGOs, both local level symbol direction assistance Order, would helpful understand better work, think them, us who worked now, kind action efficacious, works, why? starting place my study. Chiapas Rebellion; Enter NGO particular significance State Mexico, because since uprising armed, anti-globalization peasant Mayas, specifically declared war NAFTA first communique, awash them. …