Latin America Ethnic and Indigenous

Latin America

Ethnic and Indigenous Parties

Since the transition to democracy in the 1980s, the presidential-multiparty systems have faced serious problems representing broad constituencies, especially in the indigenous sectors. A careful review of Donna Lee Van Cott's Institutional Change and Ethnic Parties in South America demonstrates two cases (Bolivia and Columbia) in which presidential systems attempted to resolve the problems of ethnic and indigenous group exclusion. This reaction analysis will discuss both the Bolivia and Columbia case studies and delve into how the presidential systems attempted to resolve the problems of ethnic and indigenous group discrimination; it will also look at the successes and failures of the indigenous groups have had in establishing pro-ethnic governments in these countries.

Bolivia

Example number one will be exploring the successes and failures the indigenous groups have had in the country of Bolivia. Bolivia has 37 distinct ethnic groups and one of the groups, Afro-Bolivian, has over 30,000 members (Van Cott, 2003). The government treated the indigenous groups with a system of oppression, discrimination and marginalization to keep the balance of power; thus a system of a minority ruling over the majority. Between 1978 and 1982 the Indian led parties began to form in an attempt to help the ethnic groups in Bolivia, but the parties were kept out of power because the lack of government seats, public support, and by limiting ballet access (Van Cott, 2003). Other indigenous groups tried to form political parties, including Victor Hugo Cardenas, but they lacked success and never gained the support necessary to win the political power to rule the country of Bolivia. Often facing the same difficulties the previous regime had encountered (Van Cott, 2003). The indigenous groups were kept from power because the larger political groups in Bolivia had the means politically and financially to prevent change from occurring.

In 2005 change started to occur and the indigenous people had a voice in Evo Morales an Aymara Indian; he eventually used his popularity from the masses to become the first president t from an indigenous group. Morales gained his power and financial means as the leader of a coca-growers union and had been elected on a promise to the people that he would to govern in favor of Bolivia's indigenous majority (BBC News, 2011). Morales used his presidential power to gain control of many of the state's natural resource capabilities, such as putting Bolivia's rich gas fields under state control, aiding in the pursuit for constitutional reform, and creating a large-scale land reform movement (BBC News, 2011). The consolidation of power was a successful venture and helped catapult the indigenous leader (Morales) into position to win re-election.

Columbia

Example number two looks closely into the successes and failures the indigenous groups had in the country of Columbia. The country of Columbia has a robust 81 distinct indigenous groups and has been financially and legally dominated via a two party system made up of Liberals and Conservatives (Van Cott, 2003). The strength and stability of the two party system kept any new 3rd or indigenous parties from being formed. A constitution was resurrected in 1991 so that Columbia could begin the process of weakening the stranglehold of the Liberal and Conservative parties (Van Cott, 2003).

The newly invoked constitution detailed five ways in which legislation would help the indigenous political parties. First, there was a creation of a single district for the National Constituent Assembly elections and the National senate, which would allow 3rd and indigenous parties to become electable (Van Cott, 2003). Next, the constitution legislated for two new seats to be created in the national senate providing the indigenous party members financial and media resources that never existed in the past (Van Cott, 2003). Third the constitution provided legislation in the form of financial support and free access to the state and news media for indigenous parties that allowed them access to social outlets (Van Cott, 2003). The fourth legal step was to eliminate the mandate that crippled 3rd party participation in elections (Van Cott, 2003). Finally, the new legislation invoked a system of decentralization. These five legislative changes were meant to benefit every 3rd and indigenous parties and their members; however, the impact has not had the success that was originally planned because of acts of political violence such as assassinations and threats (Van Cott, 2003).