Combining narrative history, media analysis, and ethnography A Poetics of Resistance: The Revolutionary Public Relations of the Zapatista Insurgency, by Jeff Conant provides a refreshingly new take on the Zapatistas. Back in 1994, “the first postmodern revolution” presented itself to the world through a complex web of propaganda in every available medium: the colorful communiqués of Subcomandante Marcos, the ski masks, uniforms, dolls, murals, songs, and weapons both symbolic and real. By proliferating myths, symbols, and grand historical gestures calculated to reflect their ideologies, organizing methodologies, and cultural values, the Zapatistas helped set into motion a global uprising, and the awareness that behind this uprising is a renewed vision of history. A decade and a half later, Latin American social movements continue to resonate with the words of the Zapatistas.

Conant’s book focuses on the Zapatistas’ communication strategies, but opens out to show how their words serve up a vision of ‘development’ and ‘modernity’ entirely contrary to the dominant notions. In subsequent writings the author has linked the book to the current work of climate justice movement.

IPS’ Global Economy project and Sustainable Energy and Economy Network (SEEN) join with Teaching for Change bookstore to invite you to an interactive discussion with Jeff Conant, to see how broadly applicable his work can be. Jeff will also be signing copies of this book.

Please RSVP by emailing netfa@ips-dc.org