Another Bolivia is Underway

When indigenous coca activist Evo Morales was elected president of Bolivia, the celebration of this victory for grassroots social movements in the country was tempered in some quarters by suspision about what would actually change.

Four years later, the results are in, and they impressive. Despite a global economic downturn, Bolivia saw the strongest period of economic growth in the last 30 years during Morales' first term, including the fastest growing GDP in Latin America in 2009.  Much of this growth stems from Morales' decision to reverse the privatization of Bolivia's natural resources, and use the income from nationalized resources to boost public spending and fund jobs, education, and healthcare.

The experience of Bolivia serves as an example that it's possible for social movements and grassroots organizing to profoundly transform unjust social and economic systems.

You can read more about the Bolivian economic transition in Yes! Magazine and the Center for Economic and Policy Research.