Learning how to lose

10.13.2005

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I'm not going to delve too deeply into Bolivian electoral politics until next week. By then, we might know for sure (or as close to certainty as Bolivian politics allows) if a) there will be an election, and b) what the seat distribution & final candidate roster will look like. But a quick note on one troubling thing.

Felipe Quispe (aka "Mallku") of the indigenous MIP (Pachakutik Indigenous Movement) has declared that if he doesn't win the election, he'll take the presidency by force. I don't take it as a hollow threat; Quispe was previously jailed for his participation in the guerrilla/terrorist/insurgent EGTK. And while a candidate polling around 1% can't really speak for a large section of the population — and his "uprising" would no doubt be crushed in a bloody mess — his threats could shut down local transportation routes in the Altiplano. Much like his mobilization in July 2003 in defense of the right for suspected cattle thieves to be beaten to death as "communal justice", which snowballed into the current crisis.

In short, this is a direct threat to democratic stability. One of the key rules of democratic politics is accepting the possibility of electoral defeat. For all his legitimate grievances, Quispe clearly hasn't learned this important fact. Sadly, the chaos consuming Bolivia the last two years hurts the poorest Bolivians the most.

For some good roundups of the political platforms, see MABB & Barrio Flores. They're always on top of this stuff. Or check the new Bolivian Blogs weekly roundup.

Posted by Miguel at 11:32 PM

Comments

I think Evo must be praying that Quispe continues to talk nonsense. He looks like a moderate in comparison. I think everyone wonders what Evo as President would do with a blockade in the Altiplano.

Posted by: eduardo at October 14, 2005 11:33 AM

Yes, Quispe does make Evo sound moderate by comparison. Though Evo's campaign strategy also involves a lot of let's-threaten-uprisings saber rattling, which is worrysome. My main point is just that democracy will not work if people assume that it works only if/when they win elections. That's just, well, delusional.

Posted by: Miguel [TypeKey Profile Page] at October 14, 2005 11:46 AM