Bolivia: Refounding the Nation

The election of the Movimiento al Socialismo (MAS) (movement towards socialism) to power in Bolivia in 2006 marked a historic break from centuries of foreign domination and indigenous marginalization. Evo Morales, leader of the MAS, became the first indigenous President of Bolivia.

Kepa Artaraz looks at the attempt to "refound the nation" which the new government has made as its goal. He shows how the mix of Marxism, indigenous liberation politics, anti-imperialism, and environmentalism has made Bolivia one of the most interesting and unique political experiments of Latin America's "red decade."

As the historic left-turn in Latin America reaches a crossroads, Bolivia: Refounding the Nation guides us through the politics and ideas which have animated this popular movement, drawing out important lessons for progressive politics everywhere.

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Kepa Artaraz is a lecturer at the University of Brighton where he teaches global social policy and politics. He is the author of Cuba and Western Intellectuals since 1959 (2009).

Introduction: Cuba's Past and Bolivia's Future

Part I: Context

1. The Return to Democracy

2. A Promise Unfulfilled

Part II: Re-founding the nation

3. Towards a New Constitution: A Participatory Political Process?

4. New Politics for a New State

5. New Citizens and Rights: Welfare Bolivian Style

6. New Models of Development

Part III: Bolivia and the New Latin America

7. The Past and the Future of Bolivia-US Relations

8. Bolivia and the New Latin America: ALBA and UNASUR

Conclusion: The Promise and the Limits of Twenty-First Century Socialism