When Informality Matters

Participatory Security Reform and Mechanisms of Social Embeddedness in Nezahualcóyotl, Mexico

Bibliographic Data

ID4018665
AuthorsFrançoise Montambeault (0000-0002-5548-9291, Université de Montréal, corresponding author), Annabelle Dias Félix (0000-0001-6776-4097, Université de Montréal)
Year2021
Volume53
Issue3
Pages465-492
Publication date2021-08-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Latin American Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0022-216X • E-ISSN: 1469-767X
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s0022216x21000468
OpenAlexW3173449928
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited33

What are the conditions underlying successful implementation of participatory security mechanisms? Drawing on the case of Ciudad Nezahualcóyotl and from the notion of social embeddedness, we argue that participatory security reforms that aim to include citizens in defining security priorities allow for better adoption of reforms in practice. Local level reforms are not implemented in a social vacuum but rather in pre-existing social networks that are key to their adoption in practice by citizens. However, not all social networks are equal, nor do they operate in the same manner. In 'Neza', it is through existing clientelistic networks and socially embedded local brokers that the redes vecinales were implemented and adopted by citizens, leading to varied reform adoption patterns at the very local level

Business · Citizen journalism · Computer security · Embeddedness · Key (lock) · Political science · Public relations · Social science · Social security · Sociology · Computer Science · Crime, Illicit Activities, and Governance · Law · Political Conflict and Governance · Politics and Society in Latin America · Public Administration

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