El Barzon
El Barzón, originating in Mexico, represents a significant example of grassroots debt resistance, achieving a peak membership of half a million individuals and establishing chapters across the country[1]. While geographically centered in Mexico, the movement’s strategies and impact have garnered attention as a potential model for similar organizations facing indebtedness challenges, even prompting consideration of its relevance to the United States[2]. Its emergence and activities highlight the complexities of debt, power dynamics, and collective action in response to economic hardship.
History
El Barzón arose in the 1990s as a response to the economic crises and neoliberal policies that impacted Mexico, particularly affecting small farmers and rural populations[3]. The organization’s formation was fueled by a perception that banks and local judges were colluding with the government to unjustly deprive small farmers of their land and livelihoods[4]. This perceived collusion created a climate of distrust and desperation, leading to the mobilization of debtors to collectively resist foreclosures and repossessions. The movement’s name, “El Barzón,” refers to the yoke used to join oxen together, symbolizing the joining of debtors in a common struggle.
By 1995, El Barzón’s activism had expanded to thirty-one of Mexico’s thirty-two states[5]. A key demand of the organization was the freezing of interest rates, aiming to alleviate the burden of debt on its members. El Barzón not only provided legal assistance but also organized physical resistance, offering a form of “muscle” to protect debtors from the enforcement of debt collection[6]. This combination of legal and direct action strategies distinguished it as a powerful force in challenging the prevailing economic order.
Culture
El Barzón’s methods of resistance extended beyond legal and physical interventions, incorporating elements of performance and symbolic action[7]. The movement utilized public demonstrations and theatrical displays to draw attention to the plight of debtors and to challenge the legitimacy of the financial institutions and government policies they opposed. These performances served not only to mobilize support but also to create a collective identity among debtors, fostering a sense of solidarity and empowerment.
The organization’s success can be attributed, in part, to its ability to tap into existing cultural frameworks and traditions of resistance within Mexico[8]. By framing debt as a form of oppression and by portraying debtors as victims of injustice, El Barzón resonated with a broader public sentiment of discontent and resentment towards economic inequality. Furthermore, the movement’s emphasis on collective action and mutual support aligned with traditional communal values prevalent in many rural communities.
Influence and Legacy
El Barzón, alongside the Zapatista movement, is recognized as a significant force in challenging the established power structures within rural Mexico[9]. Both movements represent a break from the traditional hegemonic control exerted over the rural population, demonstrating the potential for collective action to challenge dominant economic and political forces. The strategies employed by El Barzón, such as combining legal advocacy with direct action and utilizing performative resistance, have served as inspiration for other social movements both within Mexico and internationally.
The movement’s impact extends beyond its immediate successes in protecting debtors from foreclosure[10]. El Barzón raised awareness about the systemic issues underlying debt and economic inequality, prompting a broader public debate about the role of financial institutions and the government in addressing these challenges. The organization’s example has also spurred discussions about the possibility of similar debt resistance movements emerging in other countries, including the United States, where household and corporate debt levels are substantial[11].
Debt Categories and Resistance
A distinction is made between “profit debt,” such as corporate debt, and “use-value debt,” like household debt[12]. Currently, US corporate debt is approximately $26 trillion, while household debt is around $13.5 trillion. However, the lines between these categories are not always clear-cut. Small farmers and businesspeople, for example, may take out loans to supplement their livelihoods, blurring the distinction between use-value and profit-seeking debt.
Historically, debt resistance movements have often been led by individuals who possess some form of collateral, such as land, and are engaged in market activities to earn a living[13]. Even capitalists, while primarily engaging in profit-seeking activities, can also incur debt for personal consumption, further complicating the relationship between class and debt. This complexity highlights the need for a nuanced understanding of debt resistance movements, recognizing that they can encompass a diverse range of actors and motivations.
Debt
Mexico
Social Movements
Economic Justice
Zapatista movement