Bolivia, the poorest South American country, is currently dealing with the split over Morales’ attempts to create a communal justice system and a complex system of regional and indigenous autonomies. Although the new draft constitution’s main objective is to revive the rights and power of indigenous peoples, the opposition states that the new constitution may solve the ethnic inequality issue, but it will also create disruptions among other smaller ethnic groups in Bolivia. Hence, the new constitution will cause Bolivia to split into two– indigenous versus non-indigenous.
Supporters, on the other hand, argue that the reforms help the country progress on issues such as religious freedom and the fight against political corruption and gender inequalities. Supporters moreover guarantee that more women will be able to participate in Congress and obtain cabinet jobs. Because Morales is the first indigenous Bolivian President, the new draft constitution seems to symbolize the “New” decolonized Bolivia that Morales envisions. However, critics continue onto insist that Morales’ actions to pass the constitution without drafts/ amendments is completely anti-democratic.
(Source: The New York Times. 29 Jan 08. “Bolivia Split Over New Multicultural Constitution”)
