Class struggle in Bolivia
While the world is moving towards an open trade paradigm driven by the grand concept of liberalization, privatization and globalization, some nations in South America are emerging rebels. A battle between the market and the state for controlling the economic wheels is waiting to erupt in this continent. Venezuela and Bolivia are two nations that immediately come to our mind in any discussion regarding modern socialism.
Bolivia, South America’s poorest country
Last week, three provinces in Bolivia, declared autonomy to protest a greater state control of the economy. A big rich-poor divide exists in this country, which is also the continent’s poorest nation. Provinces, which are low lying namely Santa Cruz, Beni and Pando, are all very rich regions. The southern and western parts of the country house a predominantly below poverty line population. The constituent assembly, which has been assigned the task of recommending forward-looking reforms, has suggested a greater state control over the financial administration. President Evo Morales’s acceptance of these recommendations has triggered off a movement for autonomy among the richer provinces, which fear an unjustified income transfer to the poorer regions. However, the president’s stronghold La Paz is still with him. Though regional protests have started throughout the nation, some even seriously threatening, the members of the assembly are destined to deliver the new constitution to the President. This document of reforms in will under go a referendum later.
President Evo Morales has tough times ahead. Will he handle it widely?
President Morales faces a tough situation at hand now. Already the ethnic question threatens the nation quite often. This class struggle, which is waiting to erupt, could throw the nation into an internal turmoil. He has to remember that any deliberate imposition of reforms is not going to be easy without popular support. The defeat of Venezuelan President in the recent referendum only adds to the people’s strength. There is also a widespread resentment that the supporters of the President dominate the constituent assembly
News Source: BBC
