A Persistent Revolution: History, Nationalism, and Politics in Mexico since 1968

by Randal Sheppard

Since 1968, Mexico has transitioned from one party rule to a multiparty political system and from an economic nationalist to a neoliberal development model. Accompanying these profound political, social, and economic changes has been the remarkable persistence of the myths and symbols of a revolutionary nationalism associated with the Mexican Revolution of 1910. In this book, Sheppard examines the major events of Mexico's history since 1968 including the 1982 debt crisis, the 1994 Zapatista uprising, and the war between the Mexican state and drug cartels beginning in 2006. Sheppard weaves accounts of political speeches, patriotic commemorations, and debates between Mexican activists, intellectuals, and commentators in the media through this analysis to explain the persistence of historical myths and symbols such as the Mexican Revolution, Benito Juarez, and Emiliano Zapata as well as Catholic nationalism and their role in shaping contemporary Mexican society. In doing so, Sheppard provides an engaging and thoroughly researched new understanding of contemporary Mexican politics and society suitable for anyone seeking to understand Mexico's past and present.

Genres: History

392 pages, Hardcover

Published June 1, 2016

About the author

Randal Sheppard is a cultural and political historian of Latin America currently lecturing in International Studies at Leiden University, the Netherlands. From 2013 to 2016, he worked on the European Research Council project "Left-Wing Exile in Mexico, 1934-1960" at the University of Cologne, Germany. A forthcoming book based on this research will follow the life and work of Cuban-born pioneer of mid-century modern Mexican furniture design, Clara Porset. Randal Sheppard received his PhD in History from La Trobe University, Australia.