Translated by Amanda Coe
In Mexico, as in many countries, there are dark and gloomy segments of society that entertain inclinations that the majority of the population do not share, but have solidified in large and significant sectors. By this I mean ideas, opinions or behaviors that are often marginal and in the minority, but which reveal disturbing facets that many people would rather not see. In October and November of 2014, a series of 25 national surveys was conducted by UNAM [National Autonomous University of Mexico], led by Julia Isabel Flores, which allows us to glimpse some aspects of that dark Mexico (Mexicans Seeing Themselves: Top National Issues, 26 volumes, UNAM, 2015).
According to the surveys, 30% of people agree that torture be used to obtain information, 27% believe that authorities should break the laws in order to apply justice, 33% agree with the death penalty and 37% think that it is better to not give information to authorities so as to not get themselves into trouble. They are minority views but they are shared by about one-third of participants. Of course, it is not necessarily the same segment of the population that holds these views, but perhaps a significant sector does agree in supporting attitudes that despise the law.
It reveals shadows of an intense unease that many people share. A quarter of citizens, the surveys show, express anger, rage or resentment, while others say they feel distrust, disappointment or dissatisfaction. About half believe the end justifies the means. These figures are bad signs coming from large segments of society living in discontent, immersed in broken communities full of resentment.
The study also reveals that many find lynching to be fair: a quarter agrees with security forces killing a member of organized crime even though they can arrest him and bring him to justice. About 40% are of the opinion that if the authorities do not punish a murderer, the people have the right to take justice into their own hands. And 23% agree that an official can take advantage of his position as long as he does good things.
In Mexico, as in many countries, there are dark and gloomy segments of society that entertain inclinations that the majority of the population do not share, but have solidified in large and significant sectors. By this I mean ideas, opinions or behaviors that are often marginal and in the minority, but which reveal disturbing facets that many people would rather not see. In October and November of 2014, a series of 25 national surveys was conducted by UNAM [National Autonomous University of Mexico], led by Julia Isabel Flores, which allows us to glimpse some aspects of that dark Mexico (Mexicans Seeing Themselves: Top National Issues, 26 volumes, UNAM, 2015).
According to the surveys, 30% of people agree that torture be used to obtain information, 27% believe that authorities should break the laws in order to apply justice, 33% agree with the death penalty and 37% think that it is better to not give information to authorities so as to not get themselves into trouble. They are minority views but they are shared by about one-third of participants. Of course, it is not necessarily the same segment of the population that holds these views, but perhaps a significant sector does agree in supporting attitudes that despise the law.
It reveals shadows of an intense unease that many people share. A quarter of citizens, the surveys show, express anger, rage or resentment, while others say they feel distrust, disappointment or dissatisfaction. About half believe the end justifies the means. These figures are bad signs coming from large segments of society living in discontent, immersed in broken communities full of resentment.
The study also reveals that many find lynching to be fair: a quarter agrees with security forces killing a member of organized crime even though they can arrest him and bring him to justice. About 40% are of the opinion that if the authorities do not punish a murderer, the people have the right to take justice into their own hands. And 23% agree that an official can take advantage of his position as long as he does good things.
Consequently, it is not surprising that 30% believe the political situation will continue as badly as last year, while others think it will worsen. One fifth feel as though politics is of no interest and half believe that the parties buy votes. More revealing is the fact that 68% believe that parties are useless and many more believe that they only serve to divide people. In addition, 44% think that a strong leader can do more for the country than all the laws, and 31% that you should not have to obey a majority decision if you do not like it.
Almost a third of participants believe that the elections are neither free nor fair. According to 28%, the elections will be even less reliable with the National Electoral Institute (formerly the Federal Electoral Institute) because they do not guarantee clean elections. When asked if, in some circumstances, it would better to have a non-democratic government, a quarter answered yes, and about 10% say it doesn’t matter. One fifth simply state that Mexico is not a democracy.
The surveys I am reviewing reflect a rather conservative and right-inclined population. Between 25% and 30% of people say that they would not be willing to tolerate people with AIDS, homosexuals, people with disabilities, indigenous or people with other religions or political views living in their houses.
We could have made note of the majority opinions and thus have a brighter outlook, as the majority are satisfied. But for the moment I preferred to look at the dark side, crossing dangerous divides. These segments cross a democratic space that is accepted by most, full of flaws but that generates hope and satisfaction. But, according to the UNAM survey, part of society believes that democracy should serve to resolve the injustices of society (34%) and to employ all (28%). Since democracy is not made for these tasks, pessimism and rejection spread in large parts, and the shadows that obscure the transition that slowly distances us from the old authoritarian regime grow. But the forces seeking restoration [of the old regime] find support in the dark side of society.
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*Roger Bartra holds the Ph.D. in Sociology from the Sorbonne and was trained in Mexico as an ethnologist at the National School of Anthropology and History (INAH). He works as a researcher at the Institute for Social Research at the UNAM and is a member of the National Researchers System. He has been visiting professor and researcher at universities in Mexico and abroad, including the Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona, Spain; the Paul Getty Center; Johns Hopkins University; University of California at La Jolla; and the University of Wisconsin. In 1996, he received the National University Award.
Almost a third of participants believe that the elections are neither free nor fair. According to 28%, the elections will be even less reliable with the National Electoral Institute (formerly the Federal Electoral Institute) because they do not guarantee clean elections. When asked if, in some circumstances, it would better to have a non-democratic government, a quarter answered yes, and about 10% say it doesn’t matter. One fifth simply state that Mexico is not a democracy.
The surveys I am reviewing reflect a rather conservative and right-inclined population. Between 25% and 30% of people say that they would not be willing to tolerate people with AIDS, homosexuals, people with disabilities, indigenous or people with other religions or political views living in their houses.
We could have made note of the majority opinions and thus have a brighter outlook, as the majority are satisfied. But for the moment I preferred to look at the dark side, crossing dangerous divides. These segments cross a democratic space that is accepted by most, full of flaws but that generates hope and satisfaction. But, according to the UNAM survey, part of society believes that democracy should serve to resolve the injustices of society (34%) and to employ all (28%). Since democracy is not made for these tasks, pessimism and rejection spread in large parts, and the shadows that obscure the transition that slowly distances us from the old authoritarian regime grow. But the forces seeking restoration [of the old regime] find support in the dark side of society.
Reforma only allows subscribers to access its articles online.
*Roger Bartra holds the Ph.D. in Sociology from the Sorbonne and was trained in Mexico as an ethnologist at the National School of Anthropology and History (INAH). He works as a researcher at the Institute for Social Research at the UNAM and is a member of the National Researchers System. He has been visiting professor and researcher at universities in Mexico and abroad, including the Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona, Spain; the Paul Getty Center; Johns Hopkins University; University of California at La Jolla; and the University of Wisconsin. In 1996, he received the National University Award.