The latest controversy in Bolivia pitting Evo & Costas (the opposition/regionalist governor of Santa Cruz) is over style masquerading as substance. This Friday is 6 de Agosto, Bolivia’s national holiday. Instead of celebrating the event in La Paz (the political capital) or Sucre (the historical/constitutional capital), Evo’s government has decided to hold the official national ceremony in Santa Cruz. The dilemma, then, was over the use of the wiphala : whether or not it should be raised & whether or not it represents all Bolivians.
Clearly, this is a conflict between (at least) two distinct visions of the new Bolivia that haven’t been reconciled.
On the one hand, the wiphala is now officially recognized as an official national emblem in the new constitution. (In fact, the new policy/military uniforms combine the tricolor & the wiphala.) In that sense, then, Bolivia has two flags, which should be raised together at formal state events.
On the other hand, the wiphala is am emblem whose problems are rarely acknowledged. Contrary to popular belief, the wiphala is not the flag of “ethnic peoples” in the Andes: It is specifically the flag of the Aymara communities. Moreover, historically there was more than one wiphala: Different ayllus or regions used different patterns to distinguish themselves. Thus, the Bolivian wiphala is not truly a “National” symbol, but rather the symbol of a particular ethnic group (which makes up about 25-30% of the total population)—and it is only one specific design of the wiphala. In that sense, then, the wiphala doesn’t serve well as a unifying national emblem (particularly if it’s not acknowledged by a regionally concentrated minority), especially in a region not typically associated w/ the emblem’s historical legacy.
This means that both Evo & Costas have a point. Costas is right to suggest out that Evo is using the event to stir up conflict by appealing to his Andean base—otherwise the whole issue could’ve been sidestepped by holding the official celebration in either Sucre or La Paz (as by tradition). But Evo is also right to insist that the wiphala is a constitutionally recognized national symbol & refusing to raise it is a form of anti-indigenous (or anti-Andean) prejudice meant to appeal to a regionalist electorate—otherwise Costas could sidestep the whole issue & just raise the thing (what harm would come of it?).
The underlying problem, however, is that despite nearly two years hammering out a new constitution to “refound” the nation, no such thing happened. Instead, the 2009 constitution was grafted onto previous constitutions (despite a large number of controversial changes, the overall spirit & substance of the document is in line w/ the evolution of the 1967 constitution as revised in 1994 & 2004).
When Evo was elected, many made comparisons between him & Mandela. In part by making the analogy that Bolivia was an “apartheid” state like pre-1994 South Africa (which is a poor analogy that shows no understanding of what Apartheid really was & how it differs from social discrimination). But some of Mandela’s greatest successes were symbolic. We’re all familiar w/ the story of the Springboks. But a more remarkable—and lasting—symbolic change has to do w/ South Africa’s post-1994 flag. As a way of “refounding” their country, South Africans didn’t simply introduce a second, “African” flag to go along w/ the old one—they developed a whole new flag. The current South African flag incorporates various elements of the country’s cultural legacies, without privileging any particular one.
Bolivians had a chance to do likewise—at least if they truly wanted to do a “refounding” exercise. And it wouldn’t have been unprecedented. Between 1826 & 1851, the country had four different flags. The country has also had three different shields of arms (the most recent design was introduced in 1888 & was modified in 2004). Instead, the new constitution merely tacked on another item to the list of patriotic symbols—w/o clearly specifying if it was on equal terms to the national flag or not (the list of patriotic symbols also includes the kantuta & patujú flowers, but it’s unlikely anyone will insist that it be present at official events). Too bad. This just means there’ll be more symbolic conflicts as identity politics continues to dominate contemporary Bolivia.
Miguel, something came up a few days ago regarding language during our visit with family here in Bolivia that struck me as relevant to your post.
My sister-in-law has become a lawyer. She told us that a couple months ago the government added a new requirement for judges and officers of the court: that they must be fluent in two of these three languages: Spanish, Quechua, Aymara.
The problem, of course, is for the medialuna where Quechua and Aymara are not prevalent. My sister wishes that Guaraní were an option, for example.
It sounded like this new standard would be applied even to existing officers of the court.
So, if I am understanding all this correctly, it looks like a way to purge people from the eastern courts and replace them with folks who are likely to be sympathetic/loyal to Evo/MAS.
Have you heard of this, or have any comment on it? I may be entirely mistaken.
I was always under the understanding that Guarani *would* be an option. But, yes, if the policy is as you describe, then the implication (whether intended or not) would likely be to push out lawyers/judges who don't speak either of those languages. This would also negatively affect the professionalism of the courts, if too many trained jurists are let go en masse.
Nobody wants to see a situation where the courts, electoral authority, etc become explicitly partisan because an incumbent government can go unchecked if this is the case. Poor quality of judges (or lawyers for that matter) would result in gross injustices being carried out.
I've read your article on the Americas Quarterly website and must say it was a great read. LPP did lay the foundations for the arenas in which Evo and the present-day opposition play today. If they're working out how autonomies will be defined, Bolivia remains a unitary state rather than a truly federal one like the US, Canada, Australia, or Germany- whose states or provinces have "inherent autonomy" (as do indigenous nations in the US) and the federal government holds only those powers given to them by the constituent states.
But what is "plurinational"? Spain and Canada are "plurinational" entities. Spain, like the UK, didn't even come into its present form until 1707 when the Nueva Planta Decrees abolished the autonomous (to the point of semi-independent) governments of Catalonia, Valencia and Aragon, and Navarre (including the Basque country) in the 19th century. The resentment of this led to the Carlist Wars and later the Civil War, and autonomies in their present form were established following democratisation.
Canada is officially bilingual at national level, for instance, but a mixed bag at provincial level (there are even large Francophone communities outside of Quebec and the border region around Ottawa is heavily mixed), but only New Brunswick is constitutionally bilingual and Quebec is officially a unilingually French province. Furthermore, Nunavut was created as a territory for Inuit (territories, unlike provinces, only have as much autonomy as the federal government designates), and more recently indigenous autonomies have been implemented, like Nunatsiavut in northern Labrador, or in BC with the Treaty Process.
Thanks for the kind words about my AQ article. I had actually (briefly) directly mentioned Spain in the piece, but that part didn't make it past the editorial process, sadly (though I agree, a discussion of comparative federacy would've been beyond the cope of a relatively short piece on Bolivia.
But I agree that pure unitary & pure federalism are not the only options. In fact, there's some question about whether Spain has simply become a "federalism by another name" or not (I think it has). I suspect Bolivia will also move in that direction over time. However, the Bolivian case is most interesting because several of the regional components are not typically thought of as "ethnic" or "national" groups (i.e. the cambas or the chapacos).
The rest of the world views the autonomy movements as a reaction to the rise of Evo, but in reality the autonomy movements have existed in some form or another for ages and go back to the time certain regions had felt excluded nationally. Again, a comparison with Canada is in order- Ontario and Quebec hold the cards at federal level, but economic power has shifted increasingly to the western provinces, and you now see Newfoundland has oil wealth too. And the "other" provinces (other than Ontario and Quebec) feel they are not heard enough in Ottawa. It goes far deeper than mere "ethnic" issues. Although you look at Germany and Italy, and whole parts of the country believe they are different, which they are.
You raised points about decentralisation and the lack of cohesion in the party system- the fact that few parties other than MAS can consider themselves "national". Can you see any real changes in this between now and the next national elections?
First of all, in reaction to a couple of the points raised above:
I am almost 100% sure, based on talking to people who the rule applies to, that government employees are required to speak Spanish and one indigenous language, which can include Guarani.
And as far as comparing the autonomy movements to Canada (or Spain), what is unique in Bolivia is that the more privileged regions, rather than the most oppressed, want more autonomy. Their desire is not rooted in a separate language or culture so much as it is based on purely economic grounds (and to some extent racial differences). And there is no question that they became much more vocal once Evo became president.
Miguel, your points about the wiphala strike me as somewhat disingenuous. Regardless of its origins, the wiphala has been embraced by indigenous peoples of all sorts in Bolivia, not just the Aymara. Certainly the Quechua peoples have come to regard it as their own.
During the debate about the new constitution, one of the smears the opposition often threw at MAS was that they were going to change the national flag to the wiphala. MAS vehemently denied this and even put out fliers showing that the new constitution would keep the national flag as it was and simply establish the wiphala as a separate patriotic symbol. If Evo had actually attempted to change the flag (which as far as I know was never even considered), the opposition would have flipped out even more than they did and the country would have become even more divided.
The crest is the Bolivian coat of arms, which shows the country\'s geography of mountains and plains. The Andean condor means liberty, the llama the national animal Answers.com - What do the symbols on the Bolivia flag mean Can you answer this question?
rifle accessories
To be honest, I even could not imagine how hard it is to find decent piece of info on the above topic. It took me a couple of hours before I came across your site. No doubt, it is the best freely available source! Thanks for it!
-budget van insurance
I intended to write you this bit of note so as to say thanks yet again over the spectacular views you've featured above. This is simply pretty generous with you to convey extensively what a few people could have offered for an e-book to generate some cash for themselves, mostly since you might well have done it if you decided. These creative ideas also served as the good way to understand that other individuals have a similar dream the same as my very own to know the truth good deal more in respect of this condition. I am sure there are some more pleasurable times in the future for folks who view your site. Read more on my blog free article directory
I precisely needed to thank you so much once again. I am not sure the things that I could possibly have implemented in the absence of the smart ideas shown by you regarding such industry. I am just grateful for this support and in addition pray you know what a powerful job you're carrying out teaching other individuals all through a blog. More than likely you haven't got to know all of us.
All clad outlet
This was a useful post and I think it is rather easy to see from the other comments as well that this post is well written and useful. I bookmarked this blog a while ago because of the useful content and I am never being disappointed. Keep up the good work.
All clad outlet
The replica oakleys are a bit costlier than the ordinary sort, but once you have tried them, you would love them for the vision they provide you with. The cost you invest upon them is useful, for sure but you can the maximum worth of money as the replica oakley sunglasses are the one that have a very long life. They can be with you for many years if you maintain them well.
Thank for sharing.Thanks for the kind words about my AQ article. I had actually (briefly) directly mentioned Spain in the piece, but that part didn't make it past the editorial process, sadly (though I agree, a discussion of comparative federacy would've been beyond the cope of a relatively short piece on Bolivia.
Tire kingdom Coupons
I was always under the understanding that Guarani *would* be an option. But, yes, if the policy is as you describe, then the implication (whether intended or not) would likely be to push out lawyers/judges who don't speak either of those languages. This would also negatively affect the professionalism of the courts, if too many trained jurists are let go en mass. i agree with you.
Tire kingdom Coupons
I was always under the understanding that Guarani *would* be an option. But, yes, if the policy is as you describe, then the implication (whether intended or not) would likely be to push out lawyers/judges who don't speak either of those languages. This would also negatively affect the professionalism of the courts, if too many trained jurists are let go en mass. i agree with you.
Tire kingdom Coupons
What do you really mean by flag wars buddy? What doe you mean by that? Cebu City hotels
The moment of the water war itself is represented by the barricade. The Bolivian flag was most prominently used, along with the Whipala Watch TV Online
Hi everybody. Interesting topic for a blog. I have been reading a lot of blogs and forums lately. Some are really informative some are entertaining and some are a real crack up. I must say, terrific job on this blog, I'll be sure to check back again real soon.
Lynx @ traders insurance
Very informative and trustworthy blog. Please keep updating with great posts like this one. I have booked marked your site and am about to email it to a few friends of mine that I know would enjoy reading
shared offices
cheap oakley sunglasses
I'm happy I found this blog, I couldnt discover any info on this subject matter prior to. I also run a site and if you want to ever serious in a little bit of guest writing for me if possible feel free to let me know, i\'m always look for people to check out my site. Please stop by and leave a comment sometime!
aloo curry
I think they are definitely making too much on this. This is not a big deal at all. I do not understand this at all. Impaired driving