Evo Morales, President of Bolivia
of all the people in all the world, why write about this man?
Evo Morales is the President of Bolivia. He is the first indigenous president and has been elected following years of organisation and struggle. As a Coca grower, he stood up for the rights of fellow peasant farmers when the Bolivian Government's erradication campaign was reinforced by army and police brutalities. He is no member of any privileged university educated elite - his power base is drawn from indigenous people, peasant farmers and the working poor.
There are few political leaders in the world who have not fallen into line with the pro globalisation neo liberal agenda. Morales inspires me through his success and his policies.
Throughout this Blog I will document Morales personal journey, in the context of understanding the history, culture, geography and society of Bolivia. I will contrast his politics with those of other leaders particularly in the United States, the Republic of Ireland and Japan.
I have never been to Bolivia and I don't speak Spanish or Aymara (Morales' native language) or any other indigenous Bolivian language. I live in the Republic of Ireland, recognised by the OECD as the most Globalised country on Earth. By this, the OECD means that Ireland is the most dependent on foreign capital. Throughout this blog I will explore the different responses to global capital from Ireland and Bolivia, comparing and contrasting their colonial and post colonial histories, the lifestyles of their people and their role in the world.
There are few political leaders in the world who have not fallen into line with the pro globalisation neo liberal agenda. Morales inspires me through his success and his policies.
Throughout this Blog I will document Morales personal journey, in the context of understanding the history, culture, geography and society of Bolivia. I will contrast his politics with those of other leaders particularly in the United States, the Republic of Ireland and Japan.
I have never been to Bolivia and I don't speak Spanish or Aymara (Morales' native language) or any other indigenous Bolivian language. I live in the Republic of Ireland, recognised by the OECD as the most Globalised country on Earth. By this, the OECD means that Ireland is the most dependent on foreign capital. Throughout this blog I will explore the different responses to global capital from Ireland and Bolivia, comparing and contrasting their colonial and post colonial histories, the lifestyles of their people and their role in the world.
The 21st century poses great challenges for humanity and the earth. Human population and consumption are rising as resources become fewer. A world food summit takes place at the same time as record oil and food prices impact on the working poor throughout the world. Richer developed nations seek to protect and enhance the standards of living of their citizens while Bob Geldof warns that global food issues could result in worse levels of starvation than 1984 in Ethiopia. The industrialisation of China and India continues apace, drawing more worker/consumers into the consumer driven market ideology of the West.
Bolivia is but a small nation in this context. Colonised by the Spanish, whose wealth derived from South American resources, it has taken over 500 years since Columbus for the Bolivians to elect an indigenous president. Can you imagine the United States electing an indigenous president? Morales achievement in getting elected is impressive and I will be watching and documenting what he achieves with his office.
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