This is Us, We are Government. Experience of Social Movements in Bolivia

Authors

  • María Virginia Quiroga

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/bsj.2010.8

Keywords:

Collective Social Action, Constituent Assembly, “Hegemonic Atrophy, ” Movement to Socialism (MAS), New Political Constitution of the State, Social Movements, Populist Logic

Abstract

The emergence of social movements in the public arena had to do with neoliberalism´s negative consequences. Different actors with different interests worked together against the system, which became their “common antagonist”.  On the one hand, after years of autonomous organization, these social movements won social recognition and increased their power. On the other, political parties and trade unions lost legitimacy.  In December 2005, a faction of the Bolivian social movements won the general elections, and Evo Morales (the cocalero movement´s leader) became the first Aymara president in Bolivian history. How to manage this government it is one of the majors challenges the social movements confront in today’s Bolivia. 

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Published

2011-01-15