Negotiating Justice: Civil Disobedience Through the Lens of Contractual Thought Experiments. A case study on the Zapatista Uprising in Chiapas

This dissertation explores the concept of civil disobedience through the lens of contractual thought experiments, providing a comprehensive analysis of how justice can be negotiated within societal structures. The study begins with a theoretical framework rooted in contractualism, examining the moral imperatives and philosophical underpinnings that justify the formation of social contracts. It highlights the shift from classical notions of natural sociability to modern understandings of political authority as an artificial construct born out of rational agreements. Chapter one delves into various thought experiments that challenge and inform the creation of civil societies, including Kant's "Kingdom of Ends," the "Principle of Generic Consistency," the "Ideal Observer Theory," the "Reversal Test," and the "Veil of Ignorance." These frameworks provide a robust foundation for understanding how moral principles can be universally applied to uphold justice and autonomy within a community. The subsequent chapters apply these theoretical insights to the context of civil disobedience, specifically focusing on the Zapatista uprising in Chiapas as a case study. By analyzing the historical, ideological, and socio-political dimensions of the Zapatista movement, the thesis demonstrates how contractualist theories can be used to justify rebellion against unjust laws and state actions. Further exploration includes a critical engagement with Marxist perspectives on civil disobedience, offering a comparative analysis of contractualist and Marxist theories. This examination seeks to uncover the philosophical synergies and tensions between these two schools of thought, ultimately aiming to propose a unified framework that synthesizes insights for a comprehensive understanding of justice and resistance. The thesis concludes by suggesting new pathways for future struggles, proposing a dynamic model of justice that integrates both contractualist and Marxist principles to better address the complexities of contemporary socio-political challenges. Keywords: marxism, disobedience, zapatista uprising, contractualism.