Bolivia and the Political Dynamics of Change

Abstract

It is commonplace today to argue that the politics of class and a left-right ideologi cal positioning on the political spectrum do not matter as much as they once did that the 'new world order' of neoliberal globalization has totally changed the po litical landscape. All regimes and parties in power seem to be constrained in a similar way to implement close variations on a few policy themes. Thus, left-right distinctions in the shaping of political space and the unfolding of diverse political dynamics in diverse contexts are no longer relevant. What matters is that under current conditions, politicians of whatever stripe, no matter what the professed ideological orientation, in power end up with the same policies. A different way of putting this is that the forces of globalization (the dynamics of neoliberal globaliza tion and capitalist development) work by constraining the policy options available. Class factors, including ideology, play a reduced role or so goes the prevailing theory. This article explores several dimensions of this issue in the context of Bolivia, with reference to political developments associated with the ascent and assumption of state power by Evo Morales, an indigenous leader of the Movement to Socialism (MAS), after a year and a half in power. Compared to Ignacio [Lula] da Silva, leader of the Worker's Party (PT) and now president of Brazil, in regard to whom a similar analysis could be (and has been) made, and other 'leftists' (or populists) who in recent years have assumed state power in Latin America, Morales is rela tively close to the social base of the popular movement and 'the people' that he purportedly represents. These 'people', indigenous and poor like Morales look at him with hope as a saviour ('I am like you', cried Morales at one of the many lightning visits to indigenous communities during his presidency, 'from a poor background'). Prior to his ascent to state power he led 'los cocaleros', a popular social movement of coca-producing indigenous peasants, and was constrained by this movement in a number of ways. The indigenous movement has never been as close to state power as it is today with Morales as president. In this context Morales' electoral victory in late 2005 and his assumption of state power in Janu ary 2006 were events of transcendental significance to the indigenous peoples and population in their long struggle against class exploitation and racist oppression. The issues addressed in this paper are explored with reference to two sets of political dynamics, one having to do with the struggle for state power, the other with the use of state as a source of social change and the forces acting on the re gime over sixteen months in the exercise of state power.