Impasse in Bolivia

Bolivia has experienced two decades of unprecedented mass popular resistance to the consequences of neoliberal policies, led by the indigenous Indian majority and resulting in the resignation and flight of the president in October 2003. This unusual book uncovers the reasons and processes behind the rising opposition – mirrored in country after country in Latin America – to this currently fashionable, internationally prescribed approach to economic development. It explores the problems faced by governments in reproducing global strategies at the national level, the tensions between markets and democracy, state restructuring, citizenship and property rights. It points to the problems inherent in retaining neoliberalism as the dominant paradigm in Latin America and the unlikely prospect of it putting down real roots of approval and legitimacy.