Bolivia's Unique Administrative Divisions: Why Departments Over States?

Bolivia is a unitary republic with a representative democratic government. The country is divided into nine departments, which are the primary subdivisions of Bolivia and possess certain rights under the Constitution of Bolivia. Each department is represented in the bicameral legislature, the Plurinational Legislative Assembly, and is further divided into provinces. The departments received greater autonomy under the Administrative Decentralization law of 1995, with the first popular elections for departmental governors, previously known as prefects and appointed by the President, taking place on 18 December 2005.

Bolivia's adoption of a new constitution in 2009

One of the most notable changes was the recognition of Bolivia as a unitary plurinational and secular state, formally named the Plurinational State of Bolivia. This change emphasised the importance of ethnicity in the country's makeup and recognised 36 indigenous languages as official languages, in addition to Spanish. The constitution also called for a mixed economy with state, private, and communal ownership, and restricted private land ownership to a maximum of 5,000 hectares.

The 2009 Constitution introduced the possibility of recall elections for all elected officials and enlarged the Senate. It also elevated the electoral authorities to the status of a fourth constitutional power, on par with the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. Additionally, it granted the Bolivian people exclusive dominion over natural resources, with the state administering them.

The new constitution also addressed the country's territorial structure, recognising various autonomies at the local and departmental levels. It provided for the potential autonomy of certain subdivisions, with the province of Gran Chaco voting to become an autonomous region. The constitution also reaffirmed Sucre as Bolivia's capital, while acknowledging that the executive and legislative functions would remain in La Paz.

The adoption of the 2009 Constitution was a result of a lengthy process that began with the election of Evo Morales as the first indigenous president of Bolivia in 2005. Morales' Movement for Socialism (MAS) party implemented its 'October Agenda', which included the convening of a Constitutional Assembly to draft a new charter. The Assembly, composed of representatives from every region, faced challenges in reaching agreements and was often met with violent protests. The final draft of the constitution was approved by the National Congress and in a Constitutional Referendum in 2009.

The country's political structure

Bolivia is a unitary republic with a representative democratic government. The country is divided into nine departments, 112 provinces, 327 municipalities, and 1,384 cantons. Each department is further divided into provinces.

Each department is represented in the bicameral Plurinational Legislative Assembly, with four senators representing each department and deputies awarded in proportion to the department's population. Departments are governed by elected governors, with the first popular elections for departmental governors taking place in 2005.

At the municipal level, the government is headed by a municipal council and a mayor. Councilpersons are elected by universal, direct, and secret suffrage, while mayors are chosen by an absolute majority of valid votes.

The role of departments in Bolivia's administrative system

Bolivia is a unitary republic with a representative democratic government. The country is divided into nine departments, which are its primary subdivisions and possess certain rights under the Constitution of Bolivia. Each department is represented in the bicameral Plurinational Legislative Assembly, with four Senators each and Deputies awarded in proportion to their total population.

The departments are further divided into 112 provincias (provinces), which are then subdivided into secciones de provincias (sections or subprovinces). The sections are further divided into 1,384 cantones (cantons). There are also administrative divisions known as municipios (municipalities).

Each department is governed by an elected governor, and until 2010, these governors were known as prefects and were appointed by the President. The departments also have independently elected Departmental Legislative Assemblies (previously known as Departmental Councils).

The departments of Bolivia received greater autonomy under the Administrative Decentralization law of 1995, and this autonomy was further increased with the first popular elections for departmental governors on 18 December 2005.

The election of departmental governors

Bolivia is a unitary state made up of nine departments, which are the country's primary subdivisions and possess certain rights under the Constitution of Bolivia. Each department is represented in the Plurinational Legislative Assembly, a bicameral legislature consisting of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies.

The election process for departmental governors in Bolivia is linked to the country's democratic framework, with governors being directly chosen by the people. The specific mechanisms and requirements for these elections mirror those of the presidential elections. Candidates vying for the position of departmental governor need to secure either an absolute majority or 40% of the vote along with a 10-point lead to win. If no candidate meets these thresholds in the first round of voting, a runoff election is held between the top two contenders.

The elections for departmental governors are a reflection of Bolivia's multi-party system, with various political alliances and coalitions forming to seek victory. The Movement for Socialism (MAS), a left-wing party, has been a dominant force in Bolivian politics, enjoying strong support among the rural, poor, and indigenous populations. However, the country also features a diverse range of right-of-center opposition parties that present a competitive challenge during elections.

The rights of departments under the Constitution of Bolivia

Bolivia is a unitary state consisting of nine departments, or 'departamentos' in Spanish. These departments are the primary subdivisions of Bolivia and possess certain rights under the Constitution of Bolivia.

Each department is represented in the federal Plurinational Legislative Assembly, a bicameral legislature consisting of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies. Each department is represented by four Senators, while Deputies are awarded to each state in proportion to their total population.

The 2009 Constitution of Bolivia provides for the potential autonomy of certain subdivisions. The province of Gran Chaco has voted to become an autonomous region, and this request is currently being deliberated on by a Plurinational Constitutional Court.

The 2006 Constitutional Process, which led to the 2009 Constitution, was initiated by Evo Morales, the first indigenous president of Bolivia. One of his campaign promises was to convene a new constituent assembly to draft a new charter that would end social injustice and inequality, especially among the indigenous people. The assembly was established in August 2006 and, by 2007, it had prepared a draft constitution that was approved by the National Congress. This draft was then approved in a Constitutional Referendum in 2009.

Key features of the new constitution include recall provisions for all elected public officials, nationalisation of certain economic sectors such as the gas industry, decentralisation of power with four levels of autonomy (departmental, municipal, indigenous and regional), and the importance of ethnicity in Bolivia's makeup, with a whole chapter devoted to it.

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