S<scp>hantytown</scp>M<scp>exico:</scp><i>T<scp>he</scp>D<scp>emocratic</scp>O<scp>pening in</scp>C<scp>iudad</scp>N<scp>ezahualcóyotl</scp>, 1969–1976</i>

The article analyzes political conflict in Mexico through a powerful social movement that erupted the massive shantytown of Ciudad Nezahualcóyotl between 1969 and 1973. In summer 1969, after decades abysmal living conditions, residents (Neza) launched payment strike to demand federal government expropriate land from private developers, with intent gain urban infrastructure formal property titles. rebellion plunged Neza into state perpetual strife reflects juncture Mexican history when emerged as distinct influential site for mass politics. This historicizes Mexico's space where ruling party's entrenched clientelism contended embryonic forms local democracy. Revealing numerous contradictions, this case study is emblematic how periphery was precursor vibrant yet incomplete democratization would come define national politics much Latin America 1980s.