Indigenous political representation in Bolivia and Colombia since democratization

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.

Conclusion

In short, the recognition of ethnic and indigenous political parties in Latin America has happened with mixed results. In one case, the Country of Bolivia has had more success because of a change in leadership and Morales' shift of financial resources that have strengthened the indigenous political parties. In the second case, the country of Columbia passed a new constitution and has legally tried to politically challenge their two party system with more 3rd party and indigenous groups gaining access to electability; but the laws have had little success because of an increased amount of political violence.