Evo Morales South America’s First Indigenous President

Alex “Sasha” BastaSarah Espinoza

Sarah LivingstonAustin Rodill

Evo MoralesBorn October 26, 1959 in Isallavi,

Bolivia

Began working at age 7 herding Llamas

Joined the Bolivian military

Moved to Chapare where his family farmed crops of coca

Evo Morales: Life• 80’s he became active in

regional coca- growers union, and in 1985 was elected the groups general secretary.

• In the mid 90’s Bolivia was suppressing coca production with US. He founded a national political party- the leftist Movement Toward Socialism.

• Won a seat in the House of Deputies in 1997

Evo Morales: Political Life• In 2005 MAS presidential election he

won 54% of votes and became the first Indian president.

• Sworn in in 2006 he pledged to reduce poverty among the countries indian population, and increase taxes on the wealthy.

• A recall referendum on Morales’s leadership was held in Aug. 2008 and two thirds of the voters supported the continuance of his presidency.

Bolivian Political SystemType of Government: Republic of Bolivia, now

“Plurational State of Bolivia” 3-prang power: executive, legislative, judicial President is both Chief of

State and the Head of Government, cabinet appointed by president

Legal System

Indigenous Peoples & DemographicsA multi-ethnic societyAmerindian groups: Aymaras, Quechuas,

Chiquitanos, Guarani, and Los Mojenos Make up 55% of the population 2/3 of people live in poverty

Indigenous Rights Multiple factors have been encroaching on

indigenous land. (oil, farming, drug trafficking, urbanization)

A new constitutional framework. One of the most “forward thinking” in Latin America Utilizes international human rights standards

But is he dividing the nation more? Many people say this is a victory for the

marginalized indigenous groups!

Importance of National Executive in BoliviaPresident Juan Evo Morales Ayma. The president is elected in a five year term by the

popular vote. The Bolivian president is the head of state, head

of government (executive power is exercised by the government)

How Morales is Different from other Executives

Revising a new "constitution" was favored by Bolivians but also put fear on his administration

"The document also contains two other articles that are likely to devastate the democracy. One creates a special class of people deemed to have pure Indian blood, granting them special privileges including designated seats in the legislature."(Wall Street Journal)

Countries that followed suitGuatemalaEcuadorMexicoBolivia, Guatemala, Peru,

Ecuador, and Mexico are home to 90% of Latin America’s 35-40 million indigenous

GuatemalaMayan organizations have challenged the class-

based discourseOrganizations have been created to be more

responsive to the indigenous communities and concerns

Accord on Identity and Rights of Indigenous Peoples (1995)

Final Peace Accord (1996)

EcuadorEcuadorian indigenous movement has shaped

state policy on bicultural education, territorial autonomy, and agrarian reform

ECUARUNARI in the Andes regionOne of four major regional groupings of CONAIEEcuador on forefront of struggle between

multinational corporations and indigenous groups

MexicoZapatista rebellion in Chiapas- January 1, 1994Indigenous autonomy and cultural respect

alongside democracyAccords on Indigenous Rights and Culture (1996)Struggling with implementationIndigenous groups trying to create stronger link

between themselves and partisan politics

Future ImplicationsBoliva capable of maintaining economic reform

process in poverty-sensitive mannerMassive educational reform needed to lessen

educational gap between elite and poorNeed for partisan think tanks and generally, more

competition among partiesSustainable poverty reduction will require

constructive involvement of political parties

QuestionsIs this a stable precedent that has been set in Latin America? Do you think this is solely a move for more executive power? Can you foresee the the newly-deepened ethnic divisions being a problem in the future?

References Castillo, R. (March 2006). The indigenous movement in Mexico:

Between electoral politics and local resistance. Latin American Perspectives, 33, 115-120. doi: 10.117/00945882X05286093.

Ruge, D. (2009). Indigenous rights in Latin America: The gap between doctrine and reality. Human Rights & Human Welfare, 9, 72-74. Retrieved from: http://www.du.edu/korbel/hrhw/researchdigest/latinamerica2/digest-human%20rights%20in%20latin

%20america %20vol%202-indigenousrights.pdf. Yashar, D. (October 1998). Contesting citizenship: Indigenous

movements and democracy in Latin America. Comparative Politics, 31, 23-26. Retrieved from: http://www.jstor.org/stable/422104?seq=1.

(2013, August 7). Ecuarunari inició consultas para definir diálogo con el gobierno. El Telégrafo. Retrieved from: http://

www.telegrafo.com.ec/actualidad/item/ecuarunari-inicio-consultas-para-definir-dialogo-con-el-gobierno.html.

References Cont.Mandaville, A. (October 2004). Bolivia’s political

party system and the incentives for pro-party reform. National Democratic Institute for International Affairs, 30-39. Retrieved from: http:// www.ndi.org/files/1852_bo_propoor_100104_full_0.pdf.

Llana-Miller, S. (January 2009). Bolivia sets new global high mark for indigenous rights. The Christian

Science Monitor http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Americas/2009/0127/p01s01-

woam.html/(page)/2

References Cont. Bolivia Facts: Bolivia Government. Bolivia Bella.

2011 http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Americas/2009/0127/p01s01-woam.html/(page)/2

Fromherz, N. (October 2010). The Rise and Fall of Bolivia’s Evo Morales. How South America’s

First Indigenous President Lost his Way. Council

on Foreign Relations.

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Americas/2009/0127/p01s01-

woam.html/(page)/2