Abstract
Bolivia and Peru have both experienced high levels of political instability. This instability originates in the Spanish destruction of these countries' Quechua culture and the insertion of Hispano-American conventions, particularly rural oligarchy and the repression of indigenous politics, in its place. This essay will argue that the suppression of the indigenous-specifically, indigenous culture, politics, and economics-is the most important root cause for the ongoing political problems of Bolivia and Peru.

From the Paper
Bolivia and Peru: The Roots of Political Instability Bolivia and Peru have both experienced high levels of political instability. This instability originates in the Spanish destruction of these countries' Quechua culture and the insertion of Hispano-American conventions, particularly rural oligarchy and the repression of indigenous politics, in its place. This essay will argue that the suppression of the indigenous--specifically, indigenous culture, politics, and economics--is the most important root cause for the ongoing political problems of Bolivia and Peru. The key political fact about modern Bolivia is that "The 6 percent of the

Tags:bolivia, peru, indigenous

Abstract
This paper is largely a history essay on Bolivia. It begins with Evo Morales election and expands from there to include the political and economic history of the nation. All of this is done in brief, but features election percentages, average GDP and standard of living information as well. It finishes with a discussion of issues that need to be addressed and how that can effect relations with the United States.

From the Paper
"Bolivia's economy is gradually being nationalized by the Evo Morales government. The main industries are mining and natural gas. There is a moderate agricultural sector. Private sector investment is the lowest in Latin America, a function of the rampant nationalization. The GDP per capita is only $4500, one of the lowest levels in the Americas. There is widespread underemployment (Ibid). The inflation rate of 11.5% is evidence that the economy lacks stability, despite a positive balance of payments. Bolivia does, however, have a large underground economy in coca production, which is legal there. Bolivia is reportedly the number three producer of cocaine in the world, which makes a significant contribution to the economy, far beyond the indigenous use prescribed by Evo Morales."

Tags:Bolivia, politics, government, international, south america

Abstract
This paper highlights issues in Bolivia relating to health, illness and disease such as malnutrition, malaria and assorted other illnesses and mortality rates. The paper also discusses the availability of healthcare in the country based on number of beds registered and problems registering practitioners and facilities in the country. Finally, the paper discusses the types of healthcare funding in the country.

From the Paper
"With a total population of 8,808,000 people as cited by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2005 for the year ended 2002, by Western standards healthcare in Bolivia is a travesty. According to Maija Kagis the infant and child mortality rates and those for adult women are higher than any other Latin American country. Robles, Munoz and Chawla (1) tell us that 90% of the rural dwellers in Bolivia, which comprise 42% of the population, have poor access to drinking water or health services."

Tags:bolivia, mortality, malnutrition

Abstract
The following paper briefly discusses the under-appreciated South American land of Bolivia. In particular, the paper looks at the culture of Bolivia (its music and dances especially) and the paper also looks at its interesting medley of languages and the odd synthesis of Christian-Catholic and non-Christian cultural influences. Every bit as importantly, the next few pages make mention of the broad demographic features of Bolivia as well as discussing its colorful local foods. The writer concludes that Bolivia is a land of genuine passion and conviviality that deserves whatever accolades will be tossed its way by impressed visitors.

Tags:culture, demographics

Abstract
The paper examines the prerequisites for sustainable economic growth in Bolivia and attempts to assess the degree to which Bolivia possesses these. The paper goes on to show that at present, Bolivia is little more than untapped potential. The paper reveals that there are many significant obstacles and the Morales government appears to be determined to create more obstacles to growth. The paper contends that Bolivia's economy is headed in the wrong direction.

Outline:
Introduction and Thesis Statement
Prerequisites for Economic Growth
Analysis and Conclusion

From the Paper
"Bolivia is one of the poorest countries in South America, yet has some of the most potentially valuable resource wealth on the continent. Recent political developments have thrust the country into a period of significant social and economic change, the results of which will determine Bolivia's economic fate for years to come. A positive result, however, is anything but certain. With a long history of political instability, some weak fundamentals, and a leftist government, Bolivia still has many challenges to overcome if its natural gas wealth is to be leveraged to create sustainable economic growth. Bolivia's future will hinge on the ability of the Morales government to turn oil and gas revenues into the fundamentals for economic growth. They will need to perform a delicate balancing act between their socialist ideals and creating the circumstances for foreign and domestic investment."

Tags:inflation, GDP, currency, investment, Morales

Abstract
The paper examines the political environment in France that is favorable, which contrasts with Bolivia, where the government is considered a threat to foreign firms. The paper points out two other political/legal threats in Bolivia but notes that in terms of business operating resources, France is superior. The paper asserts that the rewards of Bolivia do not justify the substantial risks, and in France, the competition might be more intense, but the opportunities are stronger and the risk level is low. The paper offers recommendations on the most effective strategy for getting into the French market.

From the Paper
"In France, the industries are relatively mature. There is a trend, however, towards increased liberalization. The French government historically held a significant influence over resource operations, but privatization has opened the market. There has been significant growth in the French construction equipment market in particular, as a result of these new policies. France is the fourth-largest purchaser of construction equipment, after the US, Japan and Germany (BuyUSA.gov, 2009). Because of the size of the French market, the competition is intense. Several manufacturers have plants in the country, including Caterpillar, Liebherr, and Case-New Holland. Komatsu, JCB and Volvo are also active in the French market."

Tags:construction, infrastructure, capital, foreign, investment, competition

Abstract
This paper discusses the political and economic background of Bolivia. The paper describes Bolivia's long-standing economic dependency on America and the realization that this is an obstacle to the betterment of the future of the country. The neo-liberal path to capitalism is examined in the paper through an overview of the social, economic, and political problems of Bolivia.

From the Paper
"Bolivia is located in Central South America, to the South West of Brazil. (Bolivia, Geography) Bolivia will always continue to remain in a place where it is dependent on cocoa, on Washington, and under severe economic pressure from all sources, including the very shape of its political and its economic institutions. Even its new liberal model has come under pressure, and it is generally believed that this model would serve the purpose of a testing ground for the way in which it would cope with the ongoing problems of not only social but also political exclusion. Al Gore has categorically stated that Bolivia would be a perfect example of improvement and also that the 'entire world is marching on the Bolivian road', but the reality is that Bolivia is one of the poorest country in entire South America, and is faced with the very real problems of economic dependence, impoverishment and economic underdevelopment. Sanchez de Lozada remains loyal and faithful to Washington, but the fact is that this could in fact prove to be his undoing, as more and more Bolivians are coming to the realization that the United States of America has become an impediment to the betterment of their futures. (Nicholls, 2003)"

Tags:sanchez, de, lozada, paz, estenssoro

Abstract
This paper discusses how Bolivia is one of the most colorful and ethnically diverse countries of Latin America and how, despite its perpetual poverty, the nation has managed to emerge as a leader in economic innovation in the region. It examines how Bolivia is not an economically or politically stable country, but how it has made serious efforts to attain both over the last few years and how this characteristic makes it stand out among its other poor, struggling neighbors in the Latin world.

Outline
General Characteristics
Economic and Social Conditions
Development Effort and Changes
Water Privatization

From the Paper
"The fact that Bolivia is a poor country and suffers from all of the evils wrought on by poverty is one thing that comes to our attention when we initiate a research on this beautiful landlocked country. Yet poverty is not exactly the only problem that Bolivia suffers from. Bolivia has been a politically instable country ever since it became independent in 1825. Since then, it has encountered and endured more than 190 military coups and so-called revolutions (Columbia Encyclopedia, 2003) which played a major role in destroying the economic and political infrastructure of the country. While studying Bolivia, one cannot help but agree with the common observation that political unrest is usually the biggest cause of economic instability in any country or region."

Tags:water, privatization, poverty, minerals, natural, resources

Abstract
This paper examines how the use of coca in Latin America dates back thousands of years and can be traced back to Ancient Incan Kings and how it is commonly consumed either by chewing on the raw leaves or drinking a tea prepared from ground leaves. For indigenous peoples, its consumption has cultural, medical, economic, and political significance. It is not only socially acceptable, but it is also a deeply engrained tradition. This paper proposes new research to gauge the cultural and political importance of coca among Bolivian people. It discusses how this information is critical for both Bolivian and international policy-makers to develop effective strategies for reducing the world's cocaine problem.

Outline:
Coca Usage
Brief Political History of Bolivia
Cocalero Movement
Coca Substitution and Eradication
Methodology
Results
Budget

From the Paper
"Coca use in Bolivia can be traced back to the Inca Kings and Nobility who often chewed the leaves of the plant in raw form. Although some of coca grown in Bolivia finds its way into the hands of cocaine producers, domestically cocaine abuse is not considered to be a widespread or serious problem. The chewing of raw coca leaves, however, is a vital part of Bolivian social life. It is a central focus of many cultural and religious rites, including weddings. In many areas, people will gather to chew coca after meals and during breaks at work. For many indigenous people, coca is the single most important symbol of their culture and an attack on coca is seen as an attack on the entire indigenous culture. A crude analogy can be made, telling Bolivians they cannot chew coca is similar to telling Americans they cannot drink coffee or telling the English that cannot drink tea, however these analogies are not that strong as Americans and British do not use coffee or tea for any religious rituals."

Tags:cocaine, war, on, drugs, Cocalero, Movement

Abstract
Bolivia as a nation, and more specifically, the Cochabamba Valley as a region, have had significant problems recently with the lack of access to safe water resources, exacerbated by the pervasiveness of abject poverty of both the country and the region. This paper shows that the privatization of water services has been implemented as a solution to this lack of access, but so far, these reforms have been anything but successful, especially according to the majority of Bolivians. The paper shows that the results of privatization have included extreme increases in water prices, little improvement in expansion of access and extensive political protest, some of which became violent. However, the paper explains that the alternative of re-nationalization, or returning ownership and control of water resources to the state, has both potential benefits and drawbacks of its own.

From the Paper
"The policy of the privatization of Bolivia's water resources was implemented for many economic reasons, and was intended to improve upon the water industries already in place and under the ownership and control of the government. This issue has been characteristically unique from other types of privatization policies for one reason: the necessity of water for human beings to exist. Because of this universal human need for clean, drinkable water, many Bolivians claim that access to it is a right, rather than a privilege. Yet in the midst of a complete lack of alternative sources to safe water, some people will turn to possibly unsafe sources such as rainwater, lakes, and rivers. In the past, this has caused outbreaks of serious diseases such as cholera. In Bolivia, where the problem of poverty is extremely dire and millions of people cannot afford or obtain clean, safe water, the privatization of state-owned water companies has been the government's policy solution to the extreme lack of access to water."

Tags:divestiture, SAP, SEMAPA, El, Alto