Case studies / Working Paper
Re-founding the State in Bolivia
11/01/2007 By Mariano Aguirre Ernst, Isabel Moreno Carballal
Bolivia is a weak state with a dynamic civil society. Throughout its history since it achieved independence in August 1825, the Bolivian state’s rather precarious functioning has been disrupted again and again by uncontrollable popular rebellions that toppled one government after another.
The December 18 elections in 2005 proved to be a historic moment when the first indigenous president ever was elected by an absolute majority in a country whose majority indigenous population has been excluded for centuries.
Morales campaigned under the slogan of ‘Re-founding the state’. Bolivia has become the centre of attention internationally. President Morales has nationalised hydrocarbon resources, to the consternation of Spain, Brazil and Argentina. Oil companies have been forced to renegotiate the prices they pay for oil and gas and also their profit rates on exploitation concessions.
As a result, Bolivia has taken its place as an actor in the global debate on oil and gas, dealing with issues such as prices, depletion of reserves in the future and political manipulation of these resources.
This debate involves suppliers, (ranging from Venezuela to Iran and taking in Angola and Saudi Arabia), as well as buyers from the international system as a whole, and of course multilateral organisations and civil society.
For other countries, especially in Latin America, Bolivia is the focus of attention owing to the influence that Morales’ political programme may have, as it combines recovering national resources with respect for indigenous peoples and he is also endeavouring to reformulate landownership.
Lastly, Bolivia is being observed by the United States,who has listed this state as a cocaine producer while expressing concern over its leftward leaning government.
This report outlines the structural challenges facing Bolivia in this new phase in which, for the first time, a popular government represents the indigenous population who have, until now, been systematically excluded. The government aims to introduce statereform and redress inequality.
At the same time, there are many forces exerting pressure on state unity. Bolivia has moved to centre stage on the global energy issue. Given this situation, it is important to analyse the role the international community can play in supporting the transition to democracy and promoting social justice in this impoverished and segregated country.
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Keywords
Bolivia Latin America & Caribbean Natural resources State buildingBio author: Mariano Aguirre Ernst
Mariano Aguirre has been Director of the Centro de Investigación para la Paz, in Madrid, and Coordinator of programmes on peace and conflicts at the Ford Foundation, in New York. Mariano Aguirre publishes articles in various media in Spain and internationally such as OpenDemocracy, Le monde diplomatique, El Correo, La Vanguardia, Maniere de voir, AlertNet, Enjeux Internationaux, Temas, El País, Política Exterior, Debate, BBC World Service, Radio Netherland, Radio Nacional de España, Radio France International, Mediterranean Politics and CNN Spain.
Bio author: Isabel Moreno Carballal
BA in Journalism with expertise in International Relations by the Università degli Studi di Perugia (Italy), and the Universidad Complutense of Madrid. Isabel Moreno has been Press Officer for DeARTE, Feria de Galerías Españolas, and has worked for the Abdul Aziz Saud Al-Babtain Foundation as external consultant and PR.
