Nascent activism in times of disillusionment: struggles between Indigenous self-determination and state co-optation in plurinational Bolivia

Abstract

The restructuring of the Bolivian state as plurinational raised high hopes for Indigenous self-determination. In practice, however, attempts by the governing political party to co-opt Indigenous representation have compromised the autonomy and diversity of Indigenous peoples. This article investigates the emergence, forms, and rationale of nascent Indigenous activism in times of disillusionment in the plurinational state of Bolivia, where the politics of the governing left regime are becoming more centralized and the threats related to the rise of the ultra-right wing have become pronounced. The methodology is based on interviews conducted in the city of La Paz among Indigenous activists, scholars, and state officials. By scrutinizing nascent activism and the challenges to it posed by state co-optation and right-wing racism, as well as histories of contested Indigenous identities, the article sheds light on the complex and nuanced relationships between progressive politics and indigeneity, emphasizing the importance of Indigenous self-determination.