zapatista

[akshay]

i want to know basic ideology of zapatista.i mean to say who are they? are they anarchist or maoist or what? if some one knows link to know more about zapatista then please provide to me.

[Forward Union]

I've been to Zapatista territory, and worked there going out on patrols and what not.

They're 'non-aligned'. Subcomandante Marcos, was a Maoist professor called Rafael Sebastián Guillén Vicente, before becoming the insurgent leader. According to the government, he regularly went to Chiapas to do volunteer work for a Maoist group, and after the group folded, he and a couple of others stayed to organise the people further. But the locals weren't receptive to Maoism so he had to adapt his ideas to fit with their preference for decentralisation and democracy.

They've named many of their communities after famous anarchists, and have a system of Direct democracy. But couldn't accurately be called Anarchists. Marcos once said,

"Socialists accuse me of being an Anarchist. Guilty. Anarchists accuse me of being a Socialist. Guilty"

So take from that what you wish. Their political system is probably closer to Anarchist-Communism than anything else. Everything is decided in peoples assemblies and any positions of authority are only temporarily held, and are immediately recallable. People cannot put themselves forward as candidates for any position. All economic and political decisions are made by the people in assemblies.

While in a mountain camp with them I noticed this even on a small scale, they would hold regular meetings in the day to decide "who will get the wood" and " when shall we start cooking" etc. It's amazingly natural for them!

Any more questions, just ask. I Strongly reccomend reading this aswell:Zapatistas, Anarchism, and Direct Democracy (http://flag.blackened.net/revolt/andrew/zap_asr.html)

[akshay]

can you tell me what is the present condition of people of zapatista territory.
and since zapatista is banned from u.s does it affect life of people living there.
how they arrange money for treading with other world(specially for medicine)..
one more question since zapatista is almost a anarchist group then every one( belonging to territory) must know who is leading zapatista. then who is leading at present and most important why in many photos there spoke persons do not show there own face.
at last a personal question ( if you don't mind)
are you a native of chiapas or you was working as a volunteer.


and
thanks for information you provided.

[akshay]

no reply :o