Social organizations, leadership, and construction of full citizenship: Two experiences in North Central Mexico

This paper discusses by qualitative ways the recent trajectory of two social organizations that operate in the State of Zacatecas, México, whose interaction with the state (through two different federal government programs) has converted them in political actors locally recognized. Their forms of political activity reflect different conceptions about the goals of the citizen organization and citizenship itself. One such organization, the "Federación de Clubes Zacatecanos del Sur de California” to achieve their objectives is focused on the collective effort of its membership and it shows cooperative  with the State, promoting citizen participation centered on civil rights, lobbying and vote. In contrast, the other organization "Antorcha Campesina" acts more as a pressure group based in a conflicted relationship with local authorities and the formation of its political cadres reflects a conception of a rebellious citizenship dangerously associated with clientelistic practices. In both experiences the leadership of the directives has played a prominent role in the grow of the organizations and some political parties have approached them to add up votes, and even invited them to participate as candidates in various elections. However, despite the large participative and organizational learning of these organizations, their practices of organized political action are far from building full citizenship.

This paper seeks to highlight how the construction of full citizenship is a challenge that goes beyond electoral spheres and is related with the formation of organizational identities and concrete practices of interaction between citizens and with the state.