The relational structure of civil society organizations in Reynosa and Matamoros: hierarchical or polycentric model?

Abstract

This article analyzes the dynamics of collaboration between civil society organizations and the government through the analysis of networks - that is, conceiving them as a network of collaborative links between civil associations that act on behalf of public and collective interests. The cases of Reynosa and Matamoros, Tamaulipas are analyzed, where the author identifies a hierarchical civic coordination model, in which collective action is organized by the state government, which results in associations forming vertical groupings based on collaboration and information exchange, with a strong presence of the three levels of government. Basic relational mechanisms, which are consistent in both cities, provide the basis for micro and macro integration: networks are generated that are compact enough to group some organizations in a differentiated environment, but open enough to connect them in a wider range of civic organizations.