Evo's Bolivia: Continuity and Change

by Linda C. Farthing, Benjamin H. Kohl

In this compelling and comprehensive look at the rise of Evo Morales and Bolivia's Movimiento al Socialismo (MAS), Linda Farthing and Benjamin Kohl offer a thoughtful evaluation of the transformations ushered in by the western hemisphere's first contemporary indigenous president. Accessible to all readers, Evo's Bolivia not only charts Evo's rise to power but also offers a history of and context for the MAS revolution's place in the rising "pink tide" of the political left. Farthing and Kohl examine the many social movements whose agendas have set the political climate in Bolivia and describe the difficult conditions the administration inherited. They evaluate the results of Evo's policies by examining a variety of measures, including poverty; health care and education reform; natural resources and development; and women's, indigenous, and minority rights. Weighing the positive with the negative, the authors offer a balanced assessment of the results and shortcomings of the first six years of the Morales administration. At the heart of this book are the voices of Bolivians themselves. Farthing and Kohl interviewed women and men in government, in social movements, and on the streets throughout the country, and their diverse backgrounds and experiences offer a multidimensional view of the administration and its progress so far. Ultimately the "process of change" Evo promised is exactly an ongoing and complicated process, yet an important example of development in a globalized world.

Genres: Bolivia, Nonfiction, History

272 pages, Hardcover

First published April 15, 2014

Reviews

[Jake · Rating 5 out of 5]

I figured the recent coup was a good opportunity to read this book and I was not mistaken; although it was written 5 years ago it feels very timely. The authors take a critical but sympathetic (in my view, the proper perspective) look at the accomplishments and limitations of Evo Morales and his party/movement, MAS, during their tenure in power, with some historical background. In particular, they do an excellent job of tracing the intense conflicts between regions, industries and indigenous and other ethnic groups within Bolivia, the section on the white/European Santa Cruz region and its separatist/elitist tendencies being particularly relevant now in light of the coup.
The testimonies of various government officials and movement activists are especially enlightening and illustrate the immense difficulties in the attempts by MAS to thoroughly transform Bolivian society for the working class and indigenous groups via the electoral process and pre-existing state structures. These make this academic book more colorful and highly readable.
The Left worldwide and in Latin America especially would do well to learn the lessons Bolivia’s recent history outlined in this book and by the recent coup can teach us- the over reliance on powerful and charismatic leaders (even good ones), being particularly perilous.

[Jordan · Rating 3 out of 5]

DNF but read most of it. Weird combination of ultraleft and liberal bias throughout, but some really good background info on the social movements that led to Evo's rise and what his group has been able to achieve in government. If you have the ability to draw your own conclusions from what is presented rather than accepting the conclusions the author draws for you, it is good and worth reading.

[Matthew Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good stuff!

Clear summary of the gains made in the early years of Morales' presidency that also acknowledges ways in which the MAS failed to deliver on some of its promises.