The Emergence of Associational Life in Mexico Wild West: Pioneering Civic Participation, Sea Turtle Conservation, and Environmental Awareness in Baja California Sur

This research explores the contributions of the sea turtle conservation movement in Baja California Sur (B.C.S.), Mexico, to the growth of associational life in the state. Mexico has historically been known as a country with a traditionally weak associational life. Yet, the activities of sea turtle NGOs and community groups presented a unique case study to better understand the social, political, and strategic factors that have contributed to voluntary civic engagement and the environmental successes of the movement. Through 799 interviews and surveys with public stakeholders, this research utilized Sabetas (Democratization 2:410-432, 2008) focus on political opportunity, efforts to reform informal rules, and supportive social networks, as an explanatory framework to help describe the emergence of associational life. We found that the sea turtle conservation movement in B.C.S. has become accessible to a diversity of interests and individuals. We found unexpected results in the extent of federal environmental agency complaisance in regard to the involvement of NGOs in conservation programs and environmental policy decisions that have traditionally been the sole domain of the Government of Mexico.Original Abstract: Cette etude examine la participation du mouvement de conservation des tortues de mer en Basse-Californie du Sud (B.C.S., Mexique) ANB la croissance de la vie associative dans cet Atat. Le Mexique a toujours connu comme un pays dot daune vie associative traditionnellement faible. Pourtant, les activits des ONG et des groupes communautaires pour la defense des tortues de mer ont presente une etude de cas unique pour mieux comprendre les facteurs sociaux, politiques et strategiques qui ont contribue ANB laengagement civique beCOvole et aux succA"s environnementaux de ce mouvement. A laaide de 799 interviews et sondages rACOalisACOs auprA"s des acteurs publics, cette ACOtude a utilisACO laintACOrAat de Sabet (Democratization 2:410-432, 2008) portACO ANB laopportunitACO politique, aux efforts visant ANB rACOformer les rA"gles informelles et aux rACOseaux sociaux de soutien comme un cadre explicatif pour aider ANB dACOcrire laACOmergence de la vie associative. Nous avons constatACO que le mouvement de conservation des tortues de mer en B.C.S. est devenu accessible ANB une diversitACO daintACOrAats et daindividus. Nous avons trouvACO des rACOsultats inattendus concernant laACOtendue de la complaisance de laAgence fACOdACOrale de laenvironnement ANB laACO