From Rebellion to Reform in Bolivia

by Jeffery R. Webber

Evo Morales rode to power on a wave of popular mobilizations against the neoliberal policies enforced by his predecessors. Yet many of his economic policies bare striking resemblance to the status quo he was meant to displace. Based in part on dozens of interviews with leading Bolivian activists, Jeffery R. Webber examines the contradictions of Morales' first term in office.

Genres: History, Politics, Bolivia, Nonfiction

281 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2011

About the author

Dr Jeffery Webber is a Senior Lecturer at Queen Mary U. Previously he held an Assistant Professor position in Political Science at the University of Regina, Canada. He has also been a Visiting Research Fellow at the Facultad Latinoamericano de Ciencias Sociales (FLACSO) in Quito, Ecuador, the Centro de Estudios para el Desarrollo Laboral y Agrario (CEDLA) and Centro Boliviano de Estudios Multidisicplinarios (CEBEM) in La Paz, Bolivia, and the International Institute for Research and Education in Amsterdam.

Over the last few years, he has been invited to speak on Latin American Politics, international relations, and social theory at a number of universities across Europe, North America, and Latin America. Dr Webber's PhD is from the Department of Political Science at the University of Toronto. His dissertation was entitled “Red October: Left-Indigenous Struggles in Modern Bolivia.”

His research interests cut across the disciplines of politics, sociology, international relations, history, and anthropology, with a focus on the following themes: Latin American Political Economy; the Latin American Left (Theory, History, and Practice); Marxism; Imperialism, Hegemony, Empire and Globalisation; Colonialism and Counter-Colonial Struggles; Social Movements, Rebellion, and Revolution; Historical Sociology; and International Political Economy.

Reviews

[Ariel Castellon · Rating 3 out of 5]

most western books treat left goverments of third world countries as darlins to be welcomed with delight and kisses. This book opens critical wounds on that fact by analyzin the Moralles gvt. at the same time with its over and extreme left language it losses some of its legitimacy.
What good is it to call out imperialist, capitalist etc. the scourge of humanity and also its enemy since u need to work with it to accomplish most goals. We can all agree this has become a more globalized time and yet this book decides to adhere to the idea that only marxism has all the answers and everything else, no matter how close it might resemble it is wrong.
The first and two last chapters are very informative specially when it comes to describing neo constructualism. Yes even that system, one that is used by venezuela, chile, brazil, all very succesful left countries is just not enough.
Nothing is ever enough and you cannot number that which is wanting. when it comes to this authors view its all or nothing, progress cannot come fast enough....

[Andy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A critical accounting of current events in Bolivia under Evo by someone to the left of his politics. It has been some time since I had a better understanding of what was going on in the country but the news coverage seems to be as biased as is the norm - at least from U.S. sources. So this accounting of Evo's Bolivia is welcome. He does seem to dress up his rule by appealing to his roots and MAS while not actually being all that radical. He's made some good shows but it think Webber makes a good case that Evo is, in many ways, continuing the policies of previous presidents despite the mandate he was elected with. Sure, there are political considerations to take into account, but his toothlessness in the face of the racist right in the media luna provincias is difficult to understand. I wonder what someone like Oscar Olivera would say about this. I know Evo tried to get Oscar involved in politics but Oscar would have none of it. My sense is that Oscar was in the streets protesting Evo's policies but, at the same time, I wonder if Oscar has "retired" from that line of work after the years of stress he underwent during he water war.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciated Webber's straightforward analysis of the Morales Administration's first term in office. He is clearly on the left side of the issue, but easily critiques one and all. At times it was hard to remain focused on the reading, but, even so, the content is extremely good for anyone looking for an honest and frank analysis of the Morales Administration.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative and thought-provoking work. I'd like to read more from Webber about the specific policies and programs he thinks Evo should implement in order to fulfill the promises of his campaign.