Democracy, citizenship, and violence in Guerrero after Ayotzinapa (2014-2024)

Abstract

The present investigation describes and explains the structural impunity of the disappearance of the 43 students from the Raúl Isidro Burgos Normal School, which occurred on the nights of September 25 and 26, 2014, in the contemporary configuration of Guerrero democracy (2024). Theoretically we are located in the tension that exists between political equality (democracy, citizenship), and social and economic inequality (capitalism and life). It is argued that the most ferocious capitalism has triumphed over life and consequently over democracy in the case examined. The liberation theologian's thesis seeks to relate these ideas with social justice, with human dignity. The guiding hypothesis of the research was: The installation of a fierce neoliberal capitalism in Mexico starting in 1988, had a positive influence on: 1. The configuration of a process of progressive disarticulation of the integrative functions of the State (gradual loss of the use of legitimate violence and territorial control); 2. Dismantling of the Democratic Rule of Law); 3. Articulation of local political elites with organized crime and; 4. Territorial control of factual powers (narcopolitics) and; 5. Neoliberal exploitation of the population that inhabits the conquered territories (collection of rent, extortion, kidnappings, human trafficking). The selected methodology was qualitative/quantitative. Two qualitative research techniques were applied: Semi-structured interviews and ethnography and a quantitative technique: The survey. The sample was of a theoretical order.