Evo Morales South America’s First Indigenous President

1. Evo MoralesSouth America’s First Indigenous President Alex “Sasha” Basta Sarah Espinoza Sarah Livingston Austin Rodill

2. Evo Morales • Born October 26, 1959 in Isallavi, Bolivia • Began working at age 7 herding Llamas • Joined the Bolivian military • Moved to Chapare where his family farmed crops of coca

3. Evo Morales: Life • 80’s he became active in regional coca- growers union, and in 1985 was elected the groups general secretary. • In the mid 90’s Bolivia was suppressing coca production with US. He founded a national political party- the leftist Movement Toward Socialism. • Won a seat in the House of Deputies in 1997

4. Evo Morales: Political Life • In 2005 MAS presidential election he won 54% of votes and became the first Indian president. • Sworn in in 2006 he pledged to reduce poverty among the countries indian population, and increase taxes on the wealthy. • A recall referendum on Morales’s leadership was held in Aug. 2008 and two thirds of the voters supported the continuance of his presidency.

5. Bolivian Political System • Type of Government: Republic of Bolivia, now “Plurational State of Bolivia” • 3-prang power: executive, legislative, judicial • President is both Chief of State and the Head of Government, cabinet appointed by president • Legal System

6. Indigenous Peoples & Demographics • A multi-ethnic society • Amerindian groups: Aymaras, Quechuas, Chiquitanos, Guarani, and Los Mojenos • Make up 55% of the population • 2/3 of people live in poverty

7. Indigenous Rights • Multiple factors have been encroaching on indigenous land. (oil, farming, drug trafficking, urbanization) • A new constitutional framework. • One of the most “forward thinking” in Latin America • Utilizes international human rights standards • But is he dividing the nation more? • Many people say this is a victory for the marginalized indigenous groups!

8. Importance of National Executive in Bolivia • President Juan Evo Morales Ayma. • The president is elected in a five year term by the popular vote. • The Bolivian president is the head of state, head of government (executive power is exercised by the government)

9. How Morales is Different from other Executives • Revising a new "constitution" was favored by Bolivians but also put fear on his administration • "The document also contains two other articles that are likely to devastate the democracy. One creates a special class of people deemed to have pure Indian blood, granting them special privileges including designated seats in the legislature."(Wall Street Journal)

10. Countries that followed suit • Guatemala • Ecuador • Mexico • Bolivia, Guatemala, Peru, Ecuador, and Mexico are home to 90% of Latin America’s 35-40 million indigenous

11. Guatemala • Mayan organizations have challenged the class-based discourse • Organizations have been created to be more responsive to the indigenous communities and concerns • Accord on Identity and Rights of Indigenous Peoples (1995) • Final Peace Accord (1996)

12. Ecuador • Ecuadorian indigenous movement has shaped state policy on bicultural education, territorial autonomy, and agrarian reform • ECUARUNARI in the Andes region • One of four major regional groupings of CONAIE • Ecuador on forefront of struggle between multinational corporations and indigenous groups

13. Mexico • Zapatista rebellion in Chiapas- January 1, 1994 • Indigenous autonomy and cultural respect alongside democracy • Accords on Indigenous Rights and Culture (1996) • Struggling with implementation • Indigenous groups trying to create stronger link between themselves and partisan politics

14. Future Implications • Boliva capable of maintaining economic reform process in poverty-sensitive manner • Massive educational reform needed to lessen educational gap between elite and poor • Need for partisan think tanks and generally, more competition among parties • Sustainable poverty reduction will require constructive involvement of political parties

15. Questions Is this a stable precedent that has been set in Latin America? Do you think this is solely a move for more executive power? Can you foresee the the newly-deepened ethnic divisions being a problem in the future?

16. References • Castillo, R. (March 2006). The indigenous movement in Mexico: Between electoral politics and local resistance. Latin American Perspectives, 33, 115-120. doi: 10.117/00945882X05286093. • Ruge, D. (2009). Indigenous rights in Latin America: The gap between doctrine and reality. Human Rights & Human Welfare, 9, 72-74. Retrieved from: http://www.du.edu/korbel/hrhw/researchdigest/ latinamerica2/digest-human%20rights%20in%20latin%20america %20vol%202-indigenousrights.pdf. • Yashar, D. (October 1998). Contesting citizenship: Indigenous movements and democracy in Latin America. Comparative Politics, 31, 23-26. Retrieved from: http://www.jstor.org/stable/ 422104?seq=1. • (2013, August 7). Ecuarunari inició consultas para definir diálogo con el gobierno. El Telégrafo. Retrieved from: http:// www.telegrafo.com.ec/actualidad/item/ecuarunari-inicio- consultas-para-definir-dialogo-con-el-gobierno.html.

17. References Cont. • Mandaville, A. (October 2004). Bolivia’s political party system and the incentives for pro-party reform. National Democratic Institute for International Affairs, 30-39. Retrieved from: http:// www.ndi.org/files/ 1852_bo_propoor_100104_full_0.pdf. • Llana-Miller, S. (January 2009). Bolivia sets new global high mark for indigenous rights. The Christian Science Monitor http://www.csmonitor.com/ World/Americas/2009/0127/p01s01-woam.html/ (page)/2

18. References Cont. • Bolivia Facts: Bolivia Government. Bolivia Bella. 2011http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Americas/2009/0127/p01s01-woam.html/(page)/2 • Fromherz, N. (October 2010). The Rise and Fall of Bolivia’s Evo Morales. How South America’s First Indigenous President Lost his Way. Council on Foreign Relations. http://www.csmonitor.com/ World/Americas/2009/0127/p01s01-woam.html/ (page)/2