Bolivia's Democratic Status: Examining The Country's Political System

Bolivia, officially the Plurinational State of Bolivia, is a unitary republic with a representative democratic government. Bolivia has been governed by democratically elected governments since 1982, but prior to that, it was governed by various dictatorships. Bolivia exhibits mid-range performance in all categories of democracy. It performs in the top 25% of countries globally in electoral participation, but in recent years, it has experienced a significant decline in personal integrity, security, and civil society. Bolivia's multiparty democracy has seen a wide variety of parties in the presidency and parliament, although the Revolutionary Nationalist Movement, Nationalist Democratic Action, and the Revolutionary Left Movement predominated from 1985 to 2005.

Bolivia's democratic status

Bolivia, officially the Plurinational State of Bolivia, is a unitary republic with a representative democratic government. Bolivia's multiparty democracy has a wide variety of parties in the presidency and parliament. The country is divided into nine departments, 112 provinces, 327 municipalities and 1,384 cantons. Bolivia's legislative assembly is bicameral, with a Chamber of Senators and a Chamber of Deputies.

Bolivia exhibits mid-range performance in all categories of democracy. It performs in the top 25% of countries globally in electoral participation. However, over the past five years, it has experienced a significant decline in personal integrity and security and civil society. Bolivia remains one of the poorest countries in the Americas, with an economy dependent on the export of gas and minerals, making it vulnerable to international shocks and drops in commodity prices.

Since gaining independence from Spain in 1825, Bolivia has experienced economic crises and political instability, marked by military coups and countercoups, and the influence of caudillos (local strongmen). The country transitioned to democracy in 1982, but historic problems of poverty, social inequality, and the marginalization of Indigenous and Afro-Bolivian populations remained unresolved.

Under the MAS government of Evo Morales (2006-2019), Bolivia offered weak protection for liberal rights, politicized the courts, and threatened opponents and the press. Morales, the country's first Indigenous president, facilitated structural reforms to achieve racial equality, including a new constitution in 2009 that created a 'plurinational state', recognizing the country's diversity and its 36 different Indigenous peoples. However, some of Bolivia's Indigenous peoples continue to be marginalized and impacted by the exploitation of natural and mineral resources in their regions.

Under Morales, state control of the economy deepened, and executive power was concentrated, undermining checks on presidential power. After irregularities during the 2019 elections, Morales resigned and left the country. A period of crisis followed, marked by protests and dozens of deaths and hundreds of injuries. Despite a credible 2020 election, criminal proceedings against opposition members and restrictions on the media continue.

Bolivia has made important progress in women's participation, with the 2009 Constitution establishing equality between women and men, laws on violence against women, and one of the highest rates of female representation in parliament globally. However, systemic issues such as the unequal distribution of resources and economic participation, along with gender-based violence, persist.

Political instability

Bolivia has a long history of political instability. Since gaining independence from Spain in 1825, the country has experienced economic crises and political instability, marked by military coups and counter-coups and the influence of caudillos (local strongmen).

The early to mid-19th century was a period of political and economic instability in Bolivia. The country was characterised by a chaotic political situation and a declining economy, with inept and corrupt rulers. During this time, there were frequent changes in leadership, and the main source of income was taxes paid by the Indians.

In the late 19th century, an increase in the world price of silver brought Bolivia relative prosperity and political stability. However, living conditions for the native people, who constituted most of the population, remained deplorable, with limited work opportunities and no access to education, economic opportunities, or political participation.

The 20th century saw a succession of civilian and military governments in Bolivia. In 1952, the Revolutionary Nationalist Movement (MNR) led a successful revolution, introducing universal suffrage, a sweeping land reform, and the nationalisation of the country's largest tin mines. However, the country continued to experience political instability, with frequent protests and a resurgence of gas protests in 2005.

In 2006, Evo Morales became the first indigenous president of Bolivia. While his presidency brought social inclusion, relative stability, steady economic growth, and falling poverty levels, he has been accused of democratic backsliding and exerting tighter control over the judiciary and opposition media. Morales ignored the results of a 2016 referendum that should have prevented him from seeking a fourth presidential term, and after serious irregularities during the 2019 elections, he resigned and left the country.

A period of crisis followed Morales' resignation, with protests for and against the government, and a confrontation between branches of the government. In 2024, a former army chief and general, Juan José Zúñiga, led an apparent coup attempt, occupying the main square in La Paz. The current president, Luis Arce, who was elected in 2020, has been working to restore stability to the country, but political tensions remain, with ongoing divisions within the Movimiento al Socialismo Party (MAS) and confrontations between branches of the government.

Economic crisis

Bolivia is a landlocked country in South America, with a population of around 12 million people. It is a developing country and the second-poorest in South America, though it has one of the fastest-growing economies on the continent. Bolivia's economy is largely dependent on the export of gas and minerals, which has left it vulnerable to international shocks and drops in commodity prices.

Bolivia's recent economic history has been marked by political turmoil and economic instability. In 2019, the country was plunged into crisis following a disputed presidential election and the subsequent resignation of President Evo Morales. This political upheaval masked some concerning macroeconomic trends, including high deficits, low reserves, and an overdependence on primary commodity exports.

During Morales' time in office, he oversaw significant economic growth and poverty reduction. From 2006 to 2018, GDP growth averaged 4.9%, and the percentage of people living in poverty declined from 59.6% in 2005 to 36.4% in 2017. However, critics argue that Morales' economic policies lacked diversification, with exports heavily concentrated in hydrocarbons, metals, and grains. Additionally, there was little investment in institutional strengthening, and crucial institutions like checks and balances, rule of law, and the independence of the central bank were weakened.

The overreliance on primary commodity exports has made Bolivia's economy vulnerable to external shocks. The country's main exports are gas and minerals, which are vulnerable to fluctuations in global demand and commodity prices. In recent years, Bolivia has experienced a decline in hydrocarbons output due to both a depletion of existing reserves and reduced purchases from its main buyers, Brazil and Argentina. This has contributed to a widening fiscal deficit and a decline in international reserves.

The Bolivian economy is also facing challenges due to rising debt, shrinking reserves, and devaluing currencies in its main trade partners. The country's external debt has risen to about $10 billion, or 25% of GDP, and there are concerns about the ability to service this debt given the decline in export earnings. Additionally, the devaluation of currencies in Brazil and Argentina, two of Bolivia's main trade partners, has made their exports more competitive compared to Bolivian products, affecting the country's trade balance.

To address these economic challenges, the Bolivian government will need to take decisive actions to narrow the fiscal deficit, redress the external accounts, and diversify its economy away from overdependence on primary commodity exports. However, the political instability and polarization within the country have made it difficult to implement necessary reforms and have contributed to a delay in judicial elections, further compounding the economic crisis.

Social inequality

Bolivia is a unitary state in central South America, with a population of around 12 million. It is a resource-rich country, but also one of the poorest in Latin America. Bolivia has a multiethnic population, with Amerindians, Mestizos, Europeans, Asians, Africans, Arabs, Jews, and other groups. Spanish is the predominant language, but 36 indigenous languages also have official status.

Bolivia has a long history of political instability, with a succession of civilian and military governments. The country gained independence from Spain in 1825, but the following years were marked by economic crisis and political upheaval. The early 20th century saw a commodity boom fuelled by tin production, but poverty and inequality remained significant issues.

In 1952, a revolution brought about universal suffrage, agrarian reform, and the nationalization of key industries, offering prospects for economic growth and social justice. However, a coup in 1964 ended this progressive period, and the country once again descended into instability, with military and civilian governments alternating power.

Despite transitioning to democracy in 1982, Bolivia continued to struggle with poverty, social inequality, and the marginalization of Indigenous and Afro-Bolivian populations. In the 1980s, the tin market collapsed, causing a dive in the currency and soaring inflation. While austerity measures were implemented to restore economic confidence, they came at the cost of widening inequality.

The election of Evo Morales as the first Indigenous president in 2006 marked a significant shift. Morales facilitated structural reforms aimed at achieving racial equality and drafted a new constitution in 2009, creating a 'plurinational state' that recognized the country's ethnic and cultural diversity. However, some Indigenous groups remain marginalized, particularly in regions where natural resource exploitation occurs.

Income inequality in Bolivia has been a persistent issue. The World Bank's Gini coefficient showed that income inequality increased by almost ten percentage points between 1992 and 1997. While there was a turning point around the year 2000, with inequality declining over the following years, severe disparities remain, both regionally and ethnically.

Indigenous peoples in Bolivia constitute around 62% of the population but remain economically marginalized. They experience significantly lower incomes compared to non-Indigenous households, primarily due to their reliance on agricultural self-employment. Additionally, Indigenous peoples have less access to social services, and their educational attainment is lower, with higher dropout rates.

Bolivia has made notable progress in enhancing access to education, but the country continues to grapple with social inequality, particularly affecting women and children, who are the most vulnerable groups. While the 2009 Constitution established equality between women and men and enacted laws against gender-based violence, systemic issues persist, such as unequal resource distribution and economic participation.

Indigenous rights

Bolivia, officially the Plurinational State of Bolivia, has 36 recognised Indigenous peoples, who make up 41% of the population over the age of 15. The country adopted the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in 2007, and its 2009 Constitution recognises the country's multi-ethnic and pluricultural nature, including clauses on collective land titling, intercultural education, protection of Indigenous justice systems, and free, prior, and informed consent on development projects.

However, Indigenous peoples in Bolivia continue to face challenges and marginalisation. 15 of the country's 36 Indigenous communities are at risk of extinction due to systematic neglect, social exclusion, and geographic isolation. They also face barriers in exercising their legal rights, and their territories are often impacted by seismic work for new oil and gas reserves, as well as hydroelectric projects.

In terms of political representation, Bolivia's first Indigenous president, Evo Morales, was elected in 2005 and served until 2019. During his tenure, he facilitated structural reforms to achieve racial equality, including the 2009 Constitution, which created a 'plurinational state' recognising the country's diversity and its 36 different Indigenous peoples. Despite these advances, some of Bolivia's Indigenous peoples continue to be marginalised, particularly in relation to the exploitation of natural resources in their regions.

In addition to political representation, Indigenous women in Bolivia have also made strides in other areas, such as media and government ministries, and now occupy positions as journalists, television hosts, and employees in banks and law offices. However, they still face discrimination and violence, with Bolivia having one of the highest rates of femicide and gender-based violence in Latin America.

Overall, while Bolivia has made important progress in recognising and promoting the rights of its Indigenous peoples, challenges and marginalisation persist, particularly in relation to land rights, economic participation, and gender-based violence.

Frequently asked questions