To regulate citizen’s behaviour in leisure activities: theater regulation in Merida city during the Porfiriato

Abstract

Since the beginnings of the Porfiriato, the intention to renew and insert the mainstream world trends in México were two of the most important characteristics, and with that trend of thought, a series of social expectations influenced by Europe were brought in. In that context the Reglamento de Teatro de la Ciudad de Mérida from 1878 was created, the content of which is analyzed in the present article, with the goal of understanding the role of citizen regulation through emotional control and the censorship of certain contents. To that effect, the methodology used to determine is the concept of civilization coined by Norbert Elias, which is an implement to recognize the motivation behind the speech embodied in the regulation. Ultimately it is possible to stablish a connection between what is said by Elias and the original purpose of the publication.