Bolivia

Refounding the Nation

Kepa Artaraz

The election of the Movimiento al Socialismo (MAS, movement towards socialism) to power in Bolivia in 2006 marked a historic break from centuries of foreign domination and indigenous marginalisation. Evo Morales, leader of the MAS, became the first indigenous president of Bolivia.

Kepa Artaraz looks at the attempt to ‘refound the nation’ which the new government has made as its goal. He shows how the mix of Marxism, indigenous liberation politics, anti-imperialism and environmentalism has made Bolivia one of the most interesting and unique political experiments of Latin America’s ‘red decade’.

As the historic left-turn in Latin America reaches a crossroads, Bolivia: Refounding the Nation guides us through the politics and ideas which have animated this popular movement, drawing out important lessons for progressive politics everywhere.

Contents

1. The Economic Birth Pains of Poor Countries
2. Political Failures and Political Revival
3. Revolution in Democracy?
4. New Politics: In Search of a Working Relationship Between the State and Civil Society
5. New Citizens, Welfare and Wellbeing
6. New Economics: The Promise and the Limits of Post-Neoliberal Development
7. Bolivian-US Relations: Breaking the Stranglehold
8. Bolivia’s Place in Latin America
9. The Promise and the Limits of a Revolution in Democracy
Conclusion

About the Author

Kepa Artaraz is a lecturer at the University of Brighton where he teaches global social policy and politics. He is the author of Cuba and Western Intellectuals since 1959 (2009).