Coup: A Story of Violence and Resistance in Bolivia

by Thomas Becker, Linda Farthing

Coup analyzes the conditions that led to the 2019 coup in Bolivia and details its repressive aftermath.

In three dramatic weeks in October and November 2019, the fourteen years of progressive change that Evo Morales’ pink tide government had worked to implement in Bolivia and beyond came to a screeching halt. President Morales was forced to resign after protests against his re-election to a fourth term in allegedly fraudulent elections erupted among the urban middle classes, anti-indigenous racists, and prominent conservative politicians. The country’s far right used the ensuing crisis to orchestrate a successful coup, with military and police backing, paving the way for a repressive “transition” government led by Jeanine Áñez to take power. The Áñez government quelled popular protests with lethal force, shut down critical media outlets, and targeted members of Morales’ political party, the Movimiento al Socialismo (MAS). Despite postponing elections three times, the Áñez government was eventually forced to call elections in October 2020. The MAS swept back into power, winning elections with 55% of the vote and returning democracy to the country.

This book tells the story of this year of upheaval in Bolivia, providing a critical analysis of the 14 years of the MAS government that preceded it as well as the MAS return to power in 2020. It includes personal stories and commentary from women and men on the streets, leaders in social movements, members of the MAS party and government, survivors of Áñez’s abuses, and intellectuals.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Historical, Politics, Bolivia

250 pages, Paperback

Published November 1, 2021

Reviews

[Jason Chavez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This newly released book had a little bit of history mixed with the recent political situation in a country, Bolivia, not many know about. I liked the comparison at the end to the attempted coup in the US. Reading political discourse can inform readers about what can actually take place in their homeland.

[Nye Canham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great intro to Bolivian political economy and the problems of governing from the left in a peripheral country reliant on extraction to raise fx and state funds. Some moving stuff in here about the resistance to the coup. But could definitely have included more on the process by which MAS militants, trade unionists, social movement activists, feminists and indigenous activists organized the resistance to the Anez dictatorship. We don't have much of a sense for the decision making process within the resistance or the tools by which the Bolivian left mobilized hundreds of thousands of people.

Also if you believed any of the shit in the US media about Morales in 2019, you're a rube.

[Judith Elliott · Rating 5 out of 5]

A real accomplishment, this book is a chronicle of the right-wing coup that overthrew Bolivia’s leftist MAS government and President Evo Morales in 2019. The book will be welcomed by those following the Pink Tide of Latin American governments that have challenged neo-liberalism in the 21st century. It shows an amazing depth of research but doesn't let the big picture get lost in the details, clearly drawing out complicated but important lessons. I especially appreciate Farthing and Becker’s willingness to frankly discuss both the accomplishments and failures of the MAS government. Their analysis sheds light on the path forward for movements in Latin America and elsewhere.

[Gemma · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well-researched account of the events of 2019 in Bolivia and the aftermath of the fall of Evo Morales. The authors carried out copious interviews with those affected, some of which took place on the day of or in the immediate aftermath of massacres and other abuses of human rights. They have made use of knowledge gained over decades living in Bolivia and one read through this book shows that they have truly attempted to reduce political bias in their work and to tell the events in a factual manner.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Coup is an innovative new book that outlines a decades-long political struggle in Bolivia. Not only is this book incredibly useful for those hoping to learn more about Bolivia's political history, but it is also a good case study in democracy applicable to countries worldwide. Farthing and Becker provide the reader with an in-depth analysis of the details of Bolivia's political history, focusing on the political dynasty of Evo Morales. The book can be a bit dense, given its detailed nature, but is worth the read for those interested in politics.

[Rorie Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

An impeccably researched and definitive account of the 14 years in power of Evo Morales and his MAS government. The social and economic progress made by Bolivia during that period was astonishing. But the coup that toppled the government in 2019 was in turn brutal. However the election that restored MAS to power is proof that in a world where democracy is increasingly on the back foot and new tyrannies seem to sprout daily the good guys can occasionally still win.

[Michael Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reaches in some harsh realities Bolivia faced in political process and lack of democratic governance after Evo Morales. Learned a lot about history of Bolivia’s political parties and process. Really moving stories about impacts of violence on individuals affected by policies. For a non fiction book would have appreciated less of authors bias throughout the story that made it feel like I didn’t get a full understanding of politics at the time.

[Frances · Rating 3 out of 5]

An extremely detailed look at what’s been going on in Bolivia in the last few years. The only thing I might have wished for was a comparison with what the mainstream media was saying: there were a few references to the media being absent from protests, but present to parrot what the government wanted. It would have been helpful to have a better understanding of how far apart the two realities were: Indigenous vs right-wing. Did we manage to land in the middle?

[Travis · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book on Bolivian history and the recent coup. Despite the heavy theme of the book, it is a very accessible read. Both authors have spent decades working on human rights and journalism in the country. They are probably the most important anglophone writers on the topic right now.

[Michael Vela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really great political and economic analysis of Bolivia under the Evo Morales and the MAS and in depth look at the right wing coup that ousted them in 2019. Fantastic explanations of the problems MAS faced governing and how the MAS social movements were able to mobilize to defeat the coup.

[Lorena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite literal risks to their lives, Becker and Farthing spent 2019 and 2020 on the ground in Bolivia documenting Bolivia’s coup and violent aftermath. This is the most comprehensive book I have read on the period, weaving personal stories with detailed information on Bolivia and the overthrow. For those interested in Bolivia, it’s 2019 crisis, or coups in general, particularly those in Latin America, this is a must read. So far, this is my favorite book of the year.