Mexicano and Latino Politics and the Quest for Self-Determination: What Needs to Be Done

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This book examines the current status of Mexicano and Latino politics in the United States. Political scientist and community activist Armando Navarro maintains that both represent a dysfunctional and failed mode of politics, attributable to their system maintenance and mainstream ideological orientation and approach. As colonial agents, they protect both a United States that is decaying and declining and the degenerative liberal capitalist system. Navarro argues that the United States is not a representative democracy; but in fact, is a White Corpocratic Dictatorship controlled by Capital, which is evolving into a Fascist State. The book provides an in-depth analysis and contention that Mexicanos and Latinos in Aztln (Southwest) are an occupied and internal colonized people. It argues they are the Palestinians and Kurds of the United States. His supposition is sustained by the books profiles of Mexicano political history, demography, socioeconomics, electoral politics, immigration, and the Triad Crisis (e.g., Second Great Depression, Global Economic Crisis, and Global Capitalist Crisis). Each chapter provides the justification and case for Navarros two unique alternative change models, applicable to todays bankrupt and failed Mexicano and Latino Politics in the twenty-first century. The preferred model is Aztlns Politics of a Nation-Within-a-Nation (APNWN), which is based on the models of the Mormon Nation of Utah and that of French Quebec. Navarro, therefore, calls for the reformation of the United States liberal capitalist system by way of social democracy for the empowerment of Mexicanos and Latinos. His second model is Aztlns Politics of Separatism (APS), which offers two strategic options, (1) Aztln (Southwest) becoming a separate and sovereign nation-state or (2) its reannexation and re-integration with Mexico. Navarro outlines a plan of action for building a New Movement designed to attain APNWN or APS. In addition, several ominous forecasts are made, such as the United States being in a state of decline and no longer a hegemonic superpower due to the rise of a multi-polar world. Moreover, Navarro attributes the United States decline to the inherent contradictions of global capitalism. His sobering message is that if the current economic conditions are left unchanged, this will produce an End of Times scenariothe unleashing of the Four Horseman of the Apocalypse.

Reviews

Navarro describes this 577-page tome as a 'consequence of forty-six years of activism and forty-some years of scholarship.' The raison detre for the book is to answer the question of what needs to be done in the struggle for self-determination in Aztlan, the land that Mexico lost to the US as a result of the 184648 Mexican-American War. The intended audiences are Mexicanos and other Latinos who reside today in the region of Aztlan, or what is now known as the American Southwest, home to descendants of Mexicanos who are now an occupied and internally colonized people. Two change models are proposed: Aztlans Politics of a Nation-Within-a-Nation (APNWN) and Aztlans Politics of Separatism (APS). These models can be applied to any global secessionist struggle (i.e., Palestinians and Kurds). Navarro provides a rich historical analysis spanning the Aztecs to contemporary US foreign policy. The book is recommended for historians and political scientists; the extensive bibliography and endnotes indicate that the book is well researched. Navarro hopes that this accessible, engaging, and challenging book serves as a catalyst for dialogue and action. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduate, graduate, and research collections. * CHOICE *
Armando Navarro is one of the foremost activist scholars in the Chicana/o community. He is one of the few scholars who know what is to be done to correct the imperfections of a society that prevents Latinos access to education and the political power that is necessary to obtain the human rights we take for granted. As in his previous works, Navarro draws a bight line under the problems and what is to be done, presenting two change models: (1) one examining the Chicano national question; Aztlns Politics of a Nation-Within-a-Nation (APNWN); and (2) Aztlns Politics of Separatism in which he puts the struggle into a historical context. Rodolfo Acua, California State University, Northridge -- Rodolfo Acua, California State University, Northridge
In the tradition of activists scholars like Ernesto Galarza and Rodolfo Acuna, Professor Armando Navarro produces yet another provocative and timely manuscript on Chicano/Latino politics. This work is not the usual analysis of voter registration rates and vote turnout statistics since the Viva Kennedy Clubs emerged in 1960. Instead, this book is about the future; boldly stated in two models he projects may be the practical scenarios within a couple of decades. Not one to be timid or cautious in making a prognosis, Dr. Navarro presents the reader with thought-provoking models of what could be in a clear style, extensively documented, and engaging critical analyses. What remains is who will read and apply these models Jose Angel Gutierrez, University of Texas at Arlington, Founder of La Raza Unida Party -- Jose Angel Gutierrez, University of Texas at Arlington, Founder of La Raza Unida Party
Navarros work encompasses a critical analysis ofMexicano/Chicano living histories and personifies the spirit of continued struggle against colonization. Interweaving political history, demography, and socio economic history and conditions, Navarro takes to task the current political state of Raza in the twenty-first century. He spurs you to examine his supposition that as Raza we are an occupied and internal colonized people. Yet his writings insist that our communities rethink politics and dare to fashion a model essential to understanding and practicing politics as a means for liberation. His clarity of purpose and political vision is critical to attaining human rights and political self-determination against all odds. -- Nita J. Gonzales, President of Escuela Tlatelolco Centro de Estudios
'The truth and only the truth will set you free.' Armando Navarros latest book documents the Chicano Movements historical struggle for self-determination in the United States. Navarro, in his historical documented analysis, lays out for Chicanos, this nations fastest growing ethnic group, brutal political truths. Navarros book is a must read for those who believe in the principle of self-determination, and continue the historical struggle to attain social, economic, and political power for Chicanos in Aztln. -- Herman Baca, President of Committee on Chicano Rights

Author Bio

Armando Navarro is a political scientist and professor of ethnic studies at the University of California, Riverside.