The rise and the fall of the Morales government in Bolivia (2006-2019) from the perspective of the “abigarrada society”

Abstract

Juan Evo Morales, the first Bolivian president of indigenous origin, made a government characterized by constitutional and political innovations. Two changes were striking: the creation of a Plurinational State and the introduction of the principles of Andean philosophy, such as “vivir bien”. In economic terms, the renegotiation of taxes in mineral and hydrocarbons sectors and the investments in production, which was the basis for the creation of social policies. However, in 2019, Morales resigned from Bolivian presidency under pressure from the military and the opposition, resulting in his exile. Therefore, the objective of this article was to analyses why Morales, despite the legal innovations and economics and social improvement in Bolivia, was removed from power. The main hypothesis is that, even if transformations were made, the Morales government was not able to overcome the abigarramento of Bolivian society, a concept from Zavaleta Mercado which consists of structural divisions in its composition. Primary sources were used, such as the national development plan and the Bolivian Constitution of 2009, and secondary sources, such as academic articles and newspapers reports. It was concluded that the challenges imposed by the Bolivian abigarramento remain open and are crucial for the country's future.