Bolivia - 36.84
126
“We will coup whoever we want! Deal with it!” - Elon Musk
Bolivia’s recent past has been messy. Marred by political instability and dubious elections, Bolivia is doubtless a struggling country. While the nation’s struggles can be pinned on the Spanish Empire, Soviet influence, or Western meddling, there is no doubt that in the modern day, Bolivia is horribly mismanaged. While Bolivia’s modern problems are not limited to corruption, many of them can be pinned on it. Corruption is endemic in the country. Bolivia’s justice system, in particular, is notably corrupt, as justices are appointed by popular vote. Bolivia’s government is one of the most historically unstable of any country on Earth. Government changeovers, whether through coups or through political crises, are quite common. Since the 2019 political crisis civil unrest has been the norm. The government’s instability causes it to struggle with its own basic functions; a large number of Bolivians lack access to basic public services and the government is heavily subject to foreign influence. Foreign companies mining lithium in Bolivia have had a notable impact on the government. However, the tragedy of Bolivia may end soon. Bolivia has worked to restore a proper democracy since the 2019 political crisis and the freedoms of Bolivians have expanded in recent years. The economy has been growing and the current government looks more stable than ever. Bolivia may yet be a successful nation.
Human Rights - 37
Bolivia has fully abolished the death penalty. Police brutality is a rampant issue. recently, post-election protests were brutally suppressed by security forces, resulting in thirty-five deaths and over eight hundred injuries. Human rights defenders and journalists face legal harassment and arbitrary arrest. The government has repeatedly threatened to prosecute people for “participating in destabilization and disinformation movements.” The Morales administration explicitly encouraged the harassment of dissenting journalists. Morales’ supporters were told to “encourage those spreadng harmful misinformation to change their ways.” Interrim President Áñez continued the practice. The government has abused the court system to order the arrest of political opponents. The current administration accused Morales of terrorism and ordered his arrest, which was subsequently overturned. The current administration arrested former President Áñez on charges of sedition and terrorism in connection to the Morales coup. Both Morales and Áñez abused the court system to arrest political dissidents. Supreme Court Decrees 4199, 4200, and 4231 (the latter modified the former) banned the “spreading of COVID misinformation” and “causing mass panic.” Those charged under these decrees were later pardoned but not until many had been sentenced to fines or jail time. Bolivia has weak discrimination protections that go generally unenforced. Bolivia allows for same-sex “Free Unions” but no gay marriage - same-sex marriage is constitutionally banned. Same-sex couples cannot jointly adopt. Abortion is legal to preserve the physical and mental health of the woman as well as in cases of rape or incest.
Democracy - 41
Bolivian elections are generally free and fair, with the exception of the 2019 election, which was later annulled. The 2019 election was likely rigged in favor of then-President Evo Morales and the Organization of American States (OAS) noted several irregularities in an audit. After mass protests and widespread violence, Morales lost the support of the military and police, forcing him to resign. Jeanine Áñez then took over as an interim president. New elections were held in 2020 and these elections were largely free and fair with few irregularities. The Plurinational Electoral Organ (OEP) is subject to intimidation by the incumbent Movimiento al Socialismo (MAS) party. The MAS voted unanimously in both houses of Congress to abolish term limits in 2017, going against a 2016 referendum in which voters overwhelmingly supported upholding term limits. The MAS has been dominant since the election of Evo Morales in 2005. Despite this, party formation is not restricted and other parties hold seats in Congress. However, the MAS has changed the law to make it more difficult for opposition parties to win seats and the MAS has also misappropriated funds to finance campaigns. The military exerts significant sway over politics and demanded Morales’ resignation in 2019 after election-related protests. LGBT are disenfranchised.
Freedom - 56
Bolivian police shut down post-election protests with excessive force resulting in thirty-five deaths and over eight hundred injuries. Human rights defenders and journalists face frequent legal harassment, and often, arbitrary arrest. The government has threatened to sue activists for “participating in destabilization and disinformation movements.” The Morales administration explicitly encouraged the harassment of dissenting journalists, a practice that was continued by interim President Jeanine Áñez. Bolivia’s new administration has significantly bolstered freedom of expression. Coca leaf is legal while all other drugs are banned under a law that goes generally unenforced. Bolivia may issue gun ownership licenses.
Economy - 38
Health - 33
Bolivia has a life expectancy of 71 years and an infant mortality rate of 2.1%. 20.1% of Bolivians are obese and 15.9% are malnourished. The government is currently working to establish a universal healthcare system. The government’s current system covers pregnant women and some beneficiaries and offers care through a small network of free hospitals while the system expands. 43% of Bolivians have access to clean, running water.
Corruption - 1
Corruption is entirely endemic in Bolivia. Bolivia is the only country on Earth to appoint court justices by popular vote, meaning that court verdicts are often decided by popular opinion. Justices seeking re-election will often deliberately side with the popularly supported verdict in critical cases to ensure re-election. Further compounding the problem is that lower-level courts will readily accept bribes to determine verdicts. The Bolivian court system is one of the most dysfunctional in the entire world. Despite this, however, the police are more dysfunctional, reported as the most corrupt government institution in the country according to GAN Integrity. Police extortion is rampant, especially at road checkpoints. Some Bolivian police are directly involved in the American cocaine run. Public services must be bribed into action. The government frequently evicts local people to make room for mining companies and Bolivia’s land administration is incredibly corrupt in general. Tax money is embezzled at all levels of government. The Bolivian customs administration is highly corrupt, primarily due to the American cocaine run. Coca leaf is grown in Bolivia and smuggled into Peru to be processed into cocaine before being smuggled back into Bolivia. Bolivia’s mining industry is very close with the government and foreign companies, namely Tesla, exert significant sway over politics.
Competency - 9
The government is failing to provide for the people, as significant portions of the population lack access to running water, electricity, or basic public services. Crime remains rampant. Foreign companies continue to exert significant sway over the government. Corruption remains endemic in Bolivia.
Future - 79
Despite a rocky past few years, Bolivia successfully administered a free and fair election in 2020. The future looks bright for Bolivian democracy. Additionally, the government has been working to expand the country’s universal healthcare system. A major economic downturn due to COVID is concerning.
Actions Abroad - 23
Bolivia is failing to control the cocaine trade and Bolivian cartels are often allowed to smuggle into neighboring countries. Bolivia claims a portion of Chilean land, namely a corridor to the Pacific Ocean. Under the MAS, Bolivia has enabled pseudo-leftist regimes in Venezuela and Nicaragua. Bolivia under the MAS also notably sympathized with FARC. Bolivia is very close with China.
4.5% of Bolivians live below the international poverty line and 34.6% of Bolivians live below the national poverty line. 5.61% of Bolivians are unemployed. Bolivia’s already high economic disparity is worsening. The minimum wage in Bolivia is $262 per month. The government is currently working to establish a universal healthcare system. Under the previous system, healthcare was offered to pregnant women and through a small network of free hospitals. The government began taking beneficiaries for its universal health insurance scheme that would rely on a strong network of private hospitals. The Bolivian economy shrunk 8.7% in 2020 and grew 2.2% in 2019.