Exploring Bolivia's Third-World Status: A Country's Story

Bolivia is one of the poorest countries in the western hemisphere. The term Third World was originally coined in 1952 by French historian Alfred Sauvy to refer to countries that did not participate in the Cold War between the Western Capitalists and Soviet Socialists. These countries were often former colonies that faced the challenges of nation-building after gaining independence. Today, the term Third World is considered derogatory and outdated, as it is associated with economically poor and non-industrialized countries. While the term is no longer widely used, it is important to recognize that the classification of countries as developed, emerging, or frontier markets can also be problematic and fail to capture the complexities of individual nations.

Bolivia's foreign policy strategy

Bolivia's foreign policy has been characterised by a strong loyalty to Cuba and Venezuela, and a recent friendship with Russia, Iran, and China. Since President Evo Morales assumed office in 2006, Bolivia has embarked on a new foreign policy path, which has often resulted in confrontation and diplomatic isolation.

Cuba, Venezuela, and Bolivia: The Three Amigos

Bolivia has a strong loyalty to Venezuela, being the only country in South America that remains a strong ally and defender of President Nicolás Maduro. Morales has been closely tied to the Chavista project in Venezuela, visiting Caracas on his first world tour. From 2006 to 2010, Venezuela donated approximately $290 million for Morales' state program, and in return, Bolivia agreed to export soy worth $13 million per month. Bolivia's relationship with Cuba is also extremely tight, with bilateral relations described as "excellent" by Cuba's deputy minister for external relations. Cuban doctors performed $63 million in medical care treatments for Bolivian patients, while more than 5,000 Bolivian doctors were trained in Cuba.

Bolivia and Chile: Eternally Tense

Bolivia's relations with Chile have been strained since the War of the Pacific (1879-1883) when Bolivia lost its coastal province of Atacama, becoming landlocked. The central issue is Bolivia's desire for a sovereign corridor to the South Pacific Ocean, which has been a point of contention for decades. Despite the official animosity, personal exchanges remain rich and deep, with many Bolivians studying in Chilean universities or seeking medical assistance.

Bolivia and the United States: From Close to Sour

Bolivia's relationship with the United States has traditionally been very close, with the US being a long-standing consumer of Bolivian exports and a partner in development projects. However, since Morales took power, relations have soured, becoming openly hostile, and ambassadorial relations have been cut since 2008. Bolivia expelled the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) from the country, and the war on drugs remains a major point of disagreement.

Bolivia and MERCOSUR: Missed Opportunities

Bolivia refused to sign the joint letter condemning violence in Venezuela during the MERCOSUR meeting in Argentina in July 2017. As a candidate for MERCOSUR, Bolivia could have benefited strongly from the trade bloc, but instead, ideological sympathies trumped national economic interest.

Bolivia's Foreign Policy Outlook: Pragmatic Strategy Needed

Bolivia's current foreign policy can be seen as consistent but not pragmatic or beneficial for anyone outside the government. To achieve its goal of establishing diplomatic relations with all countries, Morales' government will need to reduce confrontation and adopt a more pragmatic strategy focusing on Bolivia's interests.

Bolivia's economic situation

Historical Context

Bolivia's economic policies have been influenced by its political ideology, particularly during the Cold War era. The country pursued a non-aligned foreign policy, maintaining relations with various communist nations, including Cuba and China, while also criticising US interventions in Latin America. This stance, known as "independent neutrality," reflected a populist approach rooted in the country's revolutionary history.

Current Economic Landscape

Bolivia remains one of the poorest countries in the western hemisphere. However, it has taken steps towards improving its economic situation. For example, Bolivian President Evo Morales, an avid socialist, has nationalised natural gas, telephone, and electrical companies, redistributing proceeds to poor, indigenous Bolivians. These policies have led to confrontations with wealthy landowners, particularly in the resource-rich Media Luna region.

Income and Development Status

Bolivia is classified as a developing country, which refers to nations with standards of living, income, and economic and industrial development below the average. Bolivia's per capita income is low, and it faces challenges in diversifying its export goods. The country's economy remains heavily dependent on natural resources, with a significant focus on the agricultural sector.

Social and Human Development Indicators

Bolivia struggles with high poverty rates, which contribute to issues such as hunger and high mortality rates. The country also faces challenges in providing quality education and healthcare to its citizens, which are essential components of human development. These issues are more prominent in rural areas, where access to basic services can be limited.

International Relations and Trade

Bolivia has actively pursued regional ties and economic integration. It has participated in various regional organisations and agreements, such as the Andean Common Market (ANCOM) and the Latin American Integration Association (ALADI). However, Bolivia has also been criticised for its lack of interest in certain regional integration projects, which has excluded it from potential economic opportunities.

Controversies and Criticisms

Critics have argued that Bolivia's foreign policy has become increasingly tied to US interests, affecting its relations with other Latin American democracies. Additionally, there is a perception that Bolivia's economic policies favour certain sectors or regions over others, leading to income inequality and regional disparities.

In conclusion, Bolivia's economic situation is characterised by ongoing efforts to improve living standards, reduce poverty, and diversify its economy. While the country has made strides in certain areas, it continues to face challenges in achieving sustainable and inclusive economic development. The legacy of its historical political stance during the Cold War continues to influence its economic trajectory today.

Bolivia's political ideology

Bolivia is a unitary secular state with a presidential representative democratic republic framework. The president is directly elected to a five-year term by popular vote and acts as the head of state, head of government, and head of a diverse multi-party system. The Movement for Socialism (MAS) is the governing party, and it is a left-wing, socialist political party led by Evo Morales. MAS is committed to equality, indigenous rights, agrarian land reform, constitutional reform, and nationalization of key industries, with the aim of redistributing returns through increased social spending.

The Bolivian political ideology has been influenced by various factors, including Marxism, Latin-American nationalism, and the work of indigenous authors. The country's history has also played a significant role, with the Bolivian Civil War between the Conservatives and the Liberals ending in 1899, marking the beginning of a liberal era that lasted until 1920. During this time, a system of public education was developed, along with moderate anticlericalism, and Catholicism lost its status as the only state-recognized religion.

The political spectrum in Bolivia includes a variety of parties, such as the right-of-center opposition, which includes parties like PODEMOS, and the Revolutionary Nationalist Movement, the Revolutionary Left Movement, and Nationalist Democratic Action, which were dominant from 1982 to 2005.

The current political system in Bolivia provides for a separation of powers, with the executive power exercised by the government, the legislative power vested in the government and the two chambers of parliament, and an independent judiciary and electoral branch. The country is politically and administratively divided into 9 departments, 112 provinces, 327 municipalities, and 1,384 cantons.

Bolivia's social issues

Bolivia is one of the poorest countries in the western hemisphere. Here is an overview of the social issues the country is facing.

Political Interference in the Justice System

Political interference has plagued Bolivia's justice system for years. The Morales and Áñez governments pursued politically motivated charges against political rivals. The Arce administration, which took office in November 2020, has failed to spur justice reform and continues to support excessive and unsubstantiated charges against former President Áñez.

Prison Overcrowding and Pretrial Detention

Bolivian prisons and jails are overcrowded, holding more than 2.5 times the number of detainees they were built to accommodate. In March 2022, the prison population was 20,864 people, with 65% of male detainees and 71% of female detainees awaiting trial.

Violence Against Women and Girls

Women and girls in Bolivia remain at high risk of violence, despite laws and measures to prevent and prosecute gender-based violence. The Attorney General reported 108 femicides in 2021 and 69 from January to September 2022.

Indigenous Communities' Rights

Indigenous communities in Bolivia face obstacles in exercising their rights under international law, particularly in relation to measures that may affect them, such as development projects. They also face issues such as mercury poisoning from illegal mining activities, which is damaging the health of Indigenous communities.

Freedom of Expression and Media

There are restrictions on free expression and media in Bolivia, with violence against journalists by state security forces and censorship. Journalists face threats, harassment, and physical attacks. Media outlets that express dissenting opinions are pressured and intimidated by the government.

Human Rights Violations

Bolivia has a history of human rights violations under authoritarian governments between 1964 and 1982, and there have been insufficient efforts to hold accountable and prosecute those responsible.

Corruption

Corruption is a significant issue in Bolivia, with reports of serious government corruption and a lack of transparency. There are also concerns about corruption within the judiciary, with allegations of bribery and corruption among justice officials.

Bolivia's healthcare system

Bolivia has made significant improvements in its health system over the last few decades. The country's health system has been mainly financed by the government, social health insurance contributions, and out-of-pocket spending. In 2019, the Bolivian government introduced the Single Health System (SUS) model, aiming to provide primary, secondary, and tertiary health services to the population. SUS covers at least 70% of the Bolivian population who lack any form of insurance, and has assisted at least 35,000 patients so far.

Despite these improvements, Bolivia still faces challenges in its healthcare system. According to the Human Rights Measurement Initiative, Bolivia falls into the "very bad" category in ensuring the right to health, with 74.7% of the HMRI value for 2021. The country has a high prevalence of diseases such as dengue fever, malaria, yellow fever, leptospirosis, typhoid fever, hepatitis A, and bacterial diarrhea, which has put immense pressure on the public healthcare system. Additionally, the low level of sanitation and the poor quality of healthcare are concerning.

The Bolivian government has recognized these issues and has taken steps to address them. In 2019, the government introduced ambitious health reforms through the SUS model. These reforms have increased public health expenditure, strengthened primary health services, and reduced out-of-pocket expenses for vulnerable communities. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) have played a crucial role in formulating Bolivia's Universal Health Care Policy and facilitating discussions among various stakeholders. As a result, Bolivia has tripled public spending on health in the last decade, outperforming other countries in the region.

The impact of these reforms is evident in the country's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite limitations created by the pandemic and social unrest, public health facilities across Bolivia offered uninterrupted essential health services. SUS strengthened first-level care, with a focus on epidemiological surveillance, neighborhood clinics, and health care services for underserved communities. It also abolished prior affiliation at different levels of healthcare facilities, guaranteeing all Bolivians access to COVID-19 treatment.

While Bolivia has made significant progress in improving its healthcare system, there is still room for further development to ensure that all citizens have access to quality healthcare services.

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