Evo Morales is the first indigenous president of Bolivia in the country's history. Elected in 2005 and president since 2006, Morales was swept into office as part of a socialist movement called Movement for Socialism (MAS, an acronym that spells the Spanish word for "more"). MAS seeks to transfer power away from corporations and elites and to indigenous landholders and structures in Bolivian society.
Evo Morales and Socialism Revived
Morales and MAS are part of a new wave of left-leaning politicians and social movements in Latin America. Socialist President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela strongly supports Evo Morales and his MAS movement and advocates a similar approach in his country. Other left-leaning presidents in South America, such as President Michelle Bachelet of Chile, take a more moderate approach to socialist policy, using existing power structures to create strong social welfare programs but not to initiate government control of industry and natural resources.
Morales and Chavez, on the other hand, represent a much more stringent form of socialism, with specific policies designed to erode existing power structures and alter the balance of political and economic power in their respective nations.
Movement for Socialism Gains Power in Bolivia
On Jan. 25, 2009 a referendum driven by President Morales won in Bolivia, granting more autonomy to indigenous regions in the country and shifting power away from traditional elite structures. In addition, constitutional changes will lead to further state control over natural resources, grant recognition to 36 indigenous nations, and place limits on private ownership of land.
MAS members openly denounce the existing government structure, run largely by European-descended elites from the criollo classes that took power after independence from Spain in the early 1800s. MAS openly calls for greater indigenous control of Bolivia and a return to power of those descended from the people who settled Bolivia before Europeans came to the regions in the early 1500s.
MAS achieved many political and governance goals in getting the referendum passed. The new constitution imposes a quota system for government jobs, opening positions to more indigenous citizens. Quotas also apply to seats in Congress.
These changes are reflective of socialist goals within many indigenous movements, but where Morales differs from other leaders is the scope of the change initiated and in his personal conduct. In 2006 Morales cut his own salary by 57 per cent. He lives a modest material life, and his signature striped sweater, a humble chompa, has become a minor fashion trend among his followers. Many MAS members view Morales as a true leader who lives the ideals he preaches, and his popularity is reflects this.
December 2009 Election Polls and Morales' Popularity
According to an Ipsos Apoyo poll conducted by La Razon newspaper in October 2009, Evo Morales commands 52 per cent of the vote in the poll; the next highest candidate in the poll comes in with 21 per cent of the vote. Morales won the presidency in 2005 with 53.7 per cent of the vote, a clear majority.
Whether President Morales will maintain his lead in the Bolivian election remains to be seen, but the nearly 40-point advantage seems insurmountable for his challenged, former governor of Cochabamba Manfred Reyes. The Bolivian elections will be held on Dec. 6, 2009.
References:
Morales Will Likely Be Re-Elected in Bolivia
Bolivia's Morales Favorite in Presidential Race-Poll
Melanie Zoltan - Melanie Zoltan is a former college professor and administrator who has written for About.com, PCWorld, Brain Child, Thomson Gale, and ...
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