Political Participation of Indigenous Peoples - Recent Developments in MAS Era Bolivia

Siru Pauliina Laine

Bachelor's thesis

Abstract:

Abstract

Abstract:

This thesis examines the impact of the actions of the current Bolivian government on the country's indigenous population and their opportunities for political participation. The theoretical part defines factors affecting political participation in general and presents political theories that have had an important role in both, the formation and the current policy of the ruling party, Moviemiento al Socialismo (MAS). The analytical part concentrates on various factors influencing the position of the indigenous peoples and their political role in Bolivia and on the legislative changes that have shaped the situation bringing it to its current state. In the discussion, the different aspects of the issues are combined in order to understand the challenges that the indigenous people face in the present context, after which possible future actions are suggested. The thesis concludes by arguing that the legislative changes and the other actions of the MAS government have affected the indigenous people of Bolivia in positive and negative ways. Their political participation has increased and the situation of human development has improved, but at the same time, issues exist because of incomplete rights to autonomy and problems with protecting indigenous territories from natural resource extraction.

Keywords

Bolivia, Evo Morales, Indigenous people, Political participation, MAS

Keywords

Indigenous people, Political participation, Bolivia, Evo Morales, MAS

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 22. 12. 2016

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: Mgr. Martin Hrabálek, Ph.D.

Mendel University in Brno

Faculty of Regional Development and International Studies

Bachelor programme / field:
International Territorial Studies / International Development Studies