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by Bradley L. Drew (Author), Guillermo de Los Reyes (Author)
In this thought-provoking book, De Los Reyes argues that Freemasonry, through its lodges, played a decisive role in shaping Mexico's national thought, contributing to the creation of a liberal and secular State and fostering anticlerical sentiments among the laity that endured well into the twentieth century. Far from being a mere fraternal order, Masonry functioned as a discreet yet powerful intellectual and political network, providing a space where philosophical ideas were debated, oratory refined, and political strategies forged. In a society where access to formal education was limited by class and economics, Masonic lodges offered an alternative venue for young men with political aspirations to develop rhetorical and organizational skills, build influence, and engage with national governance. The prominence of Masonic-affiliated leaders like Guadalupe Victoria, Vicente Guerrero, Valentín Gómez Farías, Benito Juárez, Porfirio Díaz, Francisco I. Madero, Lázaro Cárdenas, and Miguel Alemán attest to the movement's reach.
De Los Reyes highlights Freemasonry's role as a counterbalance to the Catholic Church, which for centuries wielded cultural and political authority to preserve the status quo. Masonic lodges operated both secretly and publicly, promoting a secular and anticlerical discourse that challenged this clerical dominance. This clash of narratives-conservative religious versus liberal Masonic-ultimately produced a hybrid national discourse: politically secular yet shaped culturally by deep-rooted religious traditions. Focusing on the origins and evolution of this secular liberal discourse, while acknowledging the persistence of conservative-religious and hybrid forms, this book reveals how these tensions have profoundly influenced Mexican political culture and continue to shape the country's national imagination today.
