La economía política del populismo boliviano del siglo 21
Abstract
Los experimentos populistas son recurrentes en América Latina. Uno de los casos más conspicuos es el de Bolivia en el siglo 21 bajo el gobierno de Evo Morales y el Movimiento al Socialismo (MAS). El populismo de este siglo, en común con experiencias previas, prioriza la redistribución del ingreso y de la riqueza basada en el papel central en la economía que se le da al estado por una parete, y en el nacionalismo por otra. La característica nueva en el populismo del siglo 21 es la incorporación de las reivindicaciones étnicas de la mayoritaria población indígena. Las políticas económicas apuntan a réditos políticos de corto plazo, desdeñando las consecuencias de largo plazo. Pero, a diferencia de experiencias previas, la agresión a los mercados, muy palpable en el caso de las nacionalizaciones y en la Nueva Constitución Política del Estado, ha sido más importante que la expansión fiscal o monetaria. Por otra parte, gracias al contexto internacional muy favorable, las políticas del gobierno del MAS no han tenido que chocar con restricciones fiscales o de balanza de pagos.
Populist experiments are recurrent in Latin America. One of the most conspicuous cases is that of Bolivia in the 21st century under the government of Evo Morales and his Movement to Socialism (MAS). The populism of this century, in common with previous experiences, prioritizes the redistribution of income and wealth, based on the central role of the state on the one hand and on nationalism in the other hand. A new feature of the populism of the 21st century is the incorporation of the ethnic demands of the large indigenous population. Economic policies are geared to short-term political gains, ignoring long term consequences. However, the aggression to markets, blatant in the nationalizations and in the New Constitution, has been more important than fiscal and monetary expansions. Also, because of the benign international environment, the policies of the MAS government have not had to face fiscal or balance of payments constraints.
Populist experiments are recurrent in Latin America. One of the most conspicuous cases is that of Bolivia in the 21st century under the government of Evo Morales and his Movement to Socialism (MAS). The populism of this century, in common with previous experiences, prioritizes the redistribution of income and wealth, based on the central role of the state on the one hand and on nationalism in the other hand. A new feature of the populism of the 21st century is the incorporation of the ethnic demands of the large indigenous population. Economic policies are geared to short-term political gains, ignoring long term consequences. However, the aggression to markets, blatant in the nationalizations and in the New Constitution, has been more important than fiscal and monetary expansions. Also, because of the benign international environment, the policies of the MAS government have not had to face fiscal or balance of payments constraints.
Description
No. 12