Bolivia's Democracy: A Work In Progress?

Bolivia, officially the Plurinational State of Bolivia, is a landlocked country in central South America. It is bordered by Brazil to the north and east, Paraguay to the southeast, Argentina to the south, Chile to the southwest, and Peru to the west. Bolivia is a unitary multiparty republic with two legislative houses. The country has a rich history, once forming the centre of the ancient Tiwanaku empire and later becoming part of the Inca empire. Bolivia's mountainous western region is one of the highest inhabited areas in the world and is an important economic and political centre. The country is ethnically diverse, with a majority of the population identifying as Mestizo, and a significant proportion identifying as Indigenous. Bolivia has a history of political instability, with frequent military coups and countercoups. In recent years, the country has experienced sociopolitical and regional tensions, with frequent roadblocks and demonstrations.

Bolivia's political and social tensions

Bolivia has been experiencing political and social tensions that have resulted in frequent roadblocks throughout the country. These tensions are fueled by various factors, including a bitter political fight between President Luis Arce and his former ally, ex-President Evo Morales, who are battling for the future of the Movement for Socialism (MAS) ahead of the 2025 presidential election.

The political fight has paralyzed the government's efforts to address the deepening economic crisis, with protests intensifying due to surging prices, scarce dollars, and long lines at fuel-strapped gas stations. The economic woes are exacerbated by the rift within MAS, as Morales's allies in Congress thwart Arce's attempts to take on debt and exploit the country's lithium reserves.

The social tensions are manifested in frequent demonstrations that often turn violent, with protesters using dynamite and the police responding with tear gas. Strikes and roadblocks further disrupt traffic and public transportation, and restrict the flow of goods and services. Criminals also take advantage of the unrest, targeting tourists and locals through theft, fraud, and violent crimes.

The political and social tensions in Bolivia have deep roots, dating back to the 2019 political crisis that led to the resignation of Evo Morales amid allegations of electoral fraud. The interim government that followed, led by Jeanine Áñez, was marred by human rights abuses and violent suppression of protests, further exacerbating the country's divisions.

The current tensions between Arce and Morales are not just ideological but also personal, with Morales blaming Arce for what he calls a US-backed coup in 2019. The rivalry between the two leaders has created a major rift within the ruling socialist party and widened the political uncertainty in the country.

To make matters worse, Bolivia is facing economic challenges due to the decline in gas production and the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. The country is struggling with depleted central bank reserves, pressure on its currency, and a bleak economic outlook, all of which contribute to the social unrest and political infighting.

Bolivia's economic crisis

Bolivia's economy is heavily reliant on the export of primary commodities, particularly hydrocarbons. This has left the country vulnerable to exogenous shocks, such as the depletion of existing reserves and reduced purchases from its main buyers, Brazil and Argentina.

In addition, the country faces high deficits, low reserves, and a fiscal deficit that has been close to 7.5% of GDP since 2015. The current account deficit has also been large, averaging over 5% of GDP. These twin deficits have been financed by depleting international reserves and increasing external debt.

Despite these challenges, Bolivia's economy grew at an average rate of 4.9% from 2006 to 2018, according to World Bank data. Annual inflation averaged 5.5% during this period, and the percentage of people living in poverty declined from 59.6% in 2005 to 36.4% in 2017. Inequality also decreased over this time, with the Gini index falling from 58.5 to 44.0.

However, the country's long-term development problems persist, and Bolivia's insertion into the international economy remains a distant reality. One issue is the lack of diversification in exports and production. Exports have become increasingly concentrated in hydrocarbons, metals, and grains.

Another concern is the weakening of crucial institutions, such as checks and balances, rule of law, and the independence of the central bank. Property rights have been weakened, and the private sector has been treated with extreme ambiguity.

The next Bolivian government will need to address these economic challenges and take actions to narrow the fiscal and external account deficits. They will also need to adjust domestic prices of heavily subsidized fuels and address the overvalued exchange rate.

Bolivia's judicial system

Under the Constitution of 1967, the Supreme Court has the power to determine the constitutionality of laws, decrees, and resolutions approved by the executive and legislative branches of the government. It also serves as the arena for malfeasance trials of public officers, including the president, vice president, and ministers of state, for crimes committed while in office.

The Senate elects members of the superior district courts of justice, as well as members of the national labour courts. Members of the superior district courts are elected for six-year terms, while lower-court judges are elected to four-year terms and may be re-elected. The nine superior district courts hear appeals in both civil and criminal matters from decisions rendered on the trial level by the courts in each department.

Civil and criminal trial courts are established in departmental capitals and in towns and cities throughout Bolivia. The criminal sections have investigating judges who prepare cases for trial, which are then tried by sectional judges. Commercial and civil matters on personal and property actions are heard by the civil sections of the trial courts.

Small claims courts are scattered throughout the country and hear cases involving personal and real property or personal actions. Larger claims may also be submitted to these courts, but the parties have the right to appeal to the sectional judge.

At the bottom of the judicial system are the mayors' courts, which consist of local judgeships. These courts primarily hear small claims and police and correctional matters.

While the judiciary is theoretically an autonomous and independent institution, in reality, it is highly politicised. Court membership often reflects political patronage, and the administration of justice is influenced by partisan viewpoints and agendas. This has resulted in a lack of independence and a stagnation of legal culture in Bolivia.

In recent years, there have been calls for reforms to the judicial system to ensure independence, impartiality, and integrity. However, the implementation of such reforms remains a challenge.

Bolivia's political polarisation

Bolivia, officially the Plurinational State of Bolivia, is a landlocked country in central South America. It is a unitary secular state with a presidential representative democratic republic form of government. The country's politics take place within a framework of a multi-party system, with the president serving as the head of state, head of government, and head of a diverse multi-party system. The country's current constitution was adopted in 2009 and provides for a unitary secular state.

Bolivia's politics have been marked by periods of instability, with a history of military and civilian governments. The country experienced a period of democratic transition in 1982, and has since been governed by democratically elected governments. However, in recent years, Bolivia has faced political polarisation, with deep divisions between the traditional opposition strongholds and the supporters of former President Evo Morales and his Movement for Socialism (MAS) party.

Evo Morales served as the country's president from 2006 to 2019 and was the country's first indigenous president. During his time in office, Bolivia saw significant economic growth and political stability. However, Morales was also widely accused of democratic backsliding, and his government was described as a competitive authoritarian regime. In 2019, Morales resigned amid allegations of electoral fraud, sparking a political crisis in the country.

Following Morales' resignation, Jeanine Áñez, a little-known senator from a minor right-wing party, assumed the position of interim president. Áñez promised new elections, which eventually took place in October 2020, bringing the MAS back to power in a landslide victory. However, Áñez's rise to power was controversial, with some accusing her of assuming the presidency through unconstitutional means. She was arrested in March 2021 and has been facing trial, with the prosecution arguing that her succession was unconstitutional and backed by the security forces.

The trial of Áñez has laid bare the stark political polarisation in Bolivia. MAS and its supporters believe that Morales' ouster was a coup, while the opposition argues that Áñez was fulfilling her duty and that the trial is illegitimate and politically motivated. The situation has been further exacerbated by concerns over a lack of due process and the extensive pre-trial detention of Áñez.

The political polarisation in Bolivia has also been influenced by the ideological divide in the region, with countries debating whether Morales' departure was voluntary or a coup. The country's political turmoil has divided Latin America, with some countries recognising Áñez as the interim president while others continue to support Morales.

The deep political polarisation in Bolivia has had a significant impact on the country's social and economic landscape. It has led to frequent demonstrations and roadblocks throughout the country, with even peaceful protests turning violent at times. The polarisation has also affected the implementation of policies and reforms, with certain segments of society strongly opposing the government's initiatives.

Overall, Bolivia's political landscape remains highly polarised, with deep divisions between supporters of the MAS and the opposition. The trial of former President Áñez has further highlighted the stark differences in ideologies and beliefs, and it remains to be seen whether the country can move towards reconciliation and bridge the gap between the divided factions.

Bolivia's anti-democratic practices

Bolivia has been ruled by democratically elected governments since 1982. However, the country has a history of political instability, with frequent changes in government and a struggle to maintain democratic practices. Here are some examples of anti-democratic practices in Bolivia:

Concentration of Power:

The Morales government (2006-2019) has been accused of concentrating power in the executive branch, undermining checks and balances, and weakening the independence of the judiciary. The 2009 constitution, while praised for promoting racial equality, was criticised for allowing Morales to run for a second term and extending term limits for presidents.

Electoral Irregularities:

The 2019 presidential election was marred by serious irregularities, with allegations of fraud and tampering with election data. This sparked protests and a political crisis, ultimately leading to Morales' resignation and exile.

Political Persecution:

Critics have accused the government of political persecution, with criminal proceedings against opposition leaders and election officials. There are also concerns about suppressive measures against journalists and the media.

Polarisation:

Bolivia is a deeply polarised country, with divisions along sociopolitical, regional, and ethnic lines. The political landscape is dominated by the MAS (Evo Morales' left-wing party) and a fragmented opposition, contributing to a highly polarised society.

Corruption:

Corruption is widespread in Bolivia, even among high-ranking government officials. However, mechanisms to hold these corrupt elites accountable are limited, and the country struggles to address this issue effectively.

Violence and Civil Unrest:

The country has experienced periods of civil unrest, with clashes between pro- and anti-government groups. The interim government that followed Morales' resignation was accused of human rights abuses, including torture and extrajudicial killings of opposition members.

Restriction of Freedom of Assembly:

Bolivia frequently experiences roadblocks and protests that disrupt traffic and public transportation. While demonstrations are a form of freedom of expression, they often turn violent, and the police respond with tear gas and aggressive tactics.

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