A discussion of the types of illnesses and health disorders common to those in Bolivia and a look at the availability of healthcare and sources of funding.
675 words (approx. 2.7 pages), 3 sources, 2006, $ 26.95
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."
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."
Abstract This paper analyzes Henry Butterfield Ryan's book, "The Fall of Che Guevara," an analysis of Che Guevara's insurgency. The paper shows that Guevara, while falling short of his goal in Bolivia, was still a remarkable man so that even in his mistakes he had the courage to follow his ideals. The author finds that this point is clarified in: I)Reasoning behind Che Guevara's placement in Bolivia; II)Che Guevara's physical location; III)The effects of the Bolivian Communist Party on the guerrilla movement; IV)The U.S. view on the insurgency in Bolivia; V)Spies, Soldiers, and Diplomats in The Fall of Che Guevara; and VII)Guevara in the classroom.
From the Paper ?? (I)n Order to form a more perfect union?,? the preamble to the Constitution of the United States intimates what its founding fathers knew from the beginning. There is, and wouldn"t ever be, a perfect union. Perfection is something to strive for, even though it cannot be reached. There is no definition of this perfect union. Is perfection to be strived for only within our borders" What about those countries we deal with? Is it easier to find perfection when it is compared to imperfection? We have relations with the South American country of Bolivia, and consequently, with those that govern it or try to change the way it is governed. One of the individuals that tried to change the way Bolivia, to a more perfect union, in his eyes, was Che Guevara. The American view of him, as well as his efforts, is of pure imperfection. After all, how can a fight for communism, a principle which so vehemently violates ours of democracy, be remotely considered as perfect? In his book, The Fall of Che Guevara, Henry Butterfield Ryan, while conceding that his insurgency was anything but perfect, Guevara was a remarkable man. Most would not agree that communism is any form of perfection, but Guevara saw it as more perfect than what was already in Bolivia. He was fighting for a principle that the U.S. was founded on, whether or not his interpretation of the word "perfect" is something most agree with matters not."
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)"
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."
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."
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."
Abstract This paper explains that President Ganzalo Sanchez de Lozada, who believed that building a $5 billion pipeline to export natural gas through Bolivia into the U.S and Mexico via a port in Chile would boost Bolivian economy, resigned after the massacre at El Alto when the people of Bolivia rebelled believing this plan would exploit their natural resources with little monetary return. The author points out that Bolivia's history is saturated with violence and political upheaval as they struggle to remain a viable state in which Bolivia's politics has been directly determined by their economic position as the poorest country in Latin America. The paper concludes that Lozada's ideals are commendable in that he wanted to liberate Bolivia socially and boost the economy, but, in a country where people face starvation daily, perhaps capitalism is the wrong solution because the Bolivian economy is not able to sustain a free market.
From the Paper "The Andean people suffered economically, while President Lozada and President Bush took credit for the progress in the war against drugs. However, consumed with terrorist threats and the war in Iraq, the Bush administration soon neglected the war on drugs and coca plant cultivation began to reemerge. Burning coca fields did little to end the abuse of cocaine in the United States. Instead, it has encouraged civil unrest and devastating poverty in Bolivia. In 1996, when the Bolivian government proposed a five-year plan to eliminate coca production, the number of patients admitted to the emergency room who were suffering from a drug overdose in the United States had risen. There seems to be little relationship between the amount of coca supply and the percentage of people using cocaine. But, as the coca fields were destroyed thousands of Bolivians faced starvation."
Abstract This paper analyzes Lesley Gill's ethnographic work "Precarious Dependencies" and examines the relationships between Aymara-speaking domestic servants and their upper-class women employers in La Paz from 1930 to the late 1980s. The paper provides insight into the nature of class, gender, and race in Bolivia and the oppression of women in general. It discusses the important use anthropology in our post-colonial world.
From the Paper "Lesley Gill's ethnography Precarious Dependencies examines the relationships between Aymara-speaking domestic servants and their upper-class women employers in La Paz from 1930 to the late 1980s. While the work is in many ways ? like any good ethnography ? about the particular daily content of the lives of these women, it is also ? like any good ethnography ? about broader issues as well, and Gill clearly intends for us to read from her careful descriptions of what has happened in Bolivia a more general way to investigate how the general subordination of women can be understood in the context of class, race, and ethnic inequality."
Abstract This paper briefly defines these two concepts and examines how they apply to the societies of Mexico, Brazil, Bolivia, and the Dominican Republic. The writer defines acculturation as the process by which a culture is transformed due to massive adoption of cultural traits from another society. Transculturation is defined as a mutual sharing of cultures.
From the Paper "Perhaps one of the most clear-cut examples of transculturation is that of Mexican culture. This culture evolved from the pairing of Spanish settlers and the native inhabitants of present day Mexico, particularly the Mayas and the Aztecs. Unlike many other attempts at European colonization, the Spanish settlements in Mexico did not (at least in the long run) attempt to "filter out" native culture ("Mexico"). Instead, the culture of the original inhabitants were embraced, and likewise, so was that of their European counterparts ("Mexico"). The match resulted in a very unique identity that we know today as ?Mexican.? "
Abstract This paper examines how the privatizations of water in both Bolivia and Argentina have not improved the general population's access to safe, healthy water. It looks at how to the contrary, it has harmed thousands of people in these countries, with the poorest citizens being affected by the worst of privatization's damages. It also discusses how a large number of Bolivians and Argentines are still strongly opposed to the ownership of water companies by private corporations and instead favor at least a limited government rule in their maintenance, service and regulation.
From the Paper "The single major turning point in the anti-water privatization campaign in Argentina occurred in January of 1996, when the water from faucets in Tucuman changed from clear to very dark for a whole month, which caused many of the province's residents to participate actively in the "stop payment" grassroots political movement. The Tucuman provincial government fined Agua del Aconquija and forced it to discount that month's water bill, and even started to consider severing ties with the company due to their exorbitant tariffs, low quality service, and suspicions of corruption of Tucuman politicians throughout the process of water privatization. "
Abstract Che's post-"Motorcycle Diaries" life as a revolutionary is reviewed from his first encounter with resistance in Guatemala to his successful revolt in Cuba to his execution in Bolivia. Topics including Che's beliefs and ideologies, his revolution attempts and the immediate and indirect effects of his actions are explored through Che's own writings and a host of factual and opinionated reviews from Che's time to the present day. After thorough review of the topic, a look is taken at the range of contemporary opinion held about Che and specific viewpoints are highlighted. Finally, a conclusion is drawn in comparison and contrast to contemporary views, finding that Che's intentions were indeed admirable, however the effect of his efforts was sub-par.
From the Paper "Che believed that for capitalism to be crushed, a complete social revolution, a worldwide uprising and cooperative movement of the working class would be necessary: "it must be defeated in a world confrontation" ("Che":Wikiquote). As later revealed in a public speech in the Algers, Che also believed that unless the soviets and other major communist powers were prepared to give unconditional support to reforming third-world countries (resulting in a loss for their own countries) they were no better than the profit-seeking imperialists themselves (Che 127). Making this particular speech worsened his relations with Russia (James 131), then allies of Cuba, but stands as testament to Che's unwillingness to curb his beliefs against the powerful, even if it meant scrutinizing allies. Necessary to fighting for a good cause is the unwillingness to compromise that cause."
Abstract This paper provides a review of Beatriz Manz's book, "Paradise in Ashes" and Benjamin Dangl's book, "The Price of Fire", to compare the collective community action for social change in Guatemala compared to different social movements in Bolivia. A discussion of the challenges they faced the objective of community actions, and how notions of community and nation were transformed in the process is followed by a summary of the research and salient findings in the conclusion.
Outline:
Introduction
Review and Discussion
Conclusion
From the Paper "In response, these Guatemalan peasants attempted to carve out a better place to live in the midst of the rain forest, but even in this remotest part of the country, they were not free from the violence that characterized the country for decades. According to Manz, these peasants "embarked in 1970 on what seemed a desperate, if not foolhardy, attempt to colonize a distant, inaccessible rain forest. Paradoxically, the isolated site they chose became one of the centers of the war that would convulse the entire country in the 1980s."
Abstract The paper explores why, although Che Guevara lost every revolutionary movement that he was the head of, he is still a symbol of revolution in Latin America. The paper details the early life of Che Guevara, how he joined Fidel's July 26th Movement, became the head of the Cuban National Bank and was finally captured and executed in Bolivia. The paper explains that Che Guevara became a symbol in Latin America because he was a rebel who stood up to the United States. The paper also explains that because his image was made famous by artist Jim Fitzpatrick, he managed to become the symbol of rebellion, reform and overcoming repression.
From the Paper "October 9, 2007 marked the forty year anniversary of the death of Ernesto "Che" Guevara. As Che Guevara was attempting to lead a guerilla insurgency in Bolivia, he was captured and executed in 1967. The execution of Che Guevara created an astonishing impact on the Latin American community. Ever since his death, some 41 years ago, Che has become a symbol for revolution and an icon in Latin America, despite the fact that the majority of his efforts ended in total failure. There has been much speculation as to why this phenomenon came to be."
Tags: Cuba, Castro, Kruschev, Bolivia, Bay, of, Pigs, insurgency, rebellion
Abstract This is the life story of Che Guevara, a legendary guerrilla fighter and revolutionary leader who represented third world countries. He served under Fidel Castro's government in Mexico, and planned to form a major guerilla army to revolutionize Bolivia. This essay marks his impact on the world as a fighter against higher power.
From the Paper "Che Guevara was a Latin American Guerrilla leader and revolutionary theorist who became a hero to the new left radicals. He was convinced that the violent overthrow of the government was the only remedy for the backwardness of third world countries. He joined the revolutionists under Fidel Castro in Mexico and when Fidel came to power he served as prime minister. He then went to revolt in Bolivia. There he was captured and shot near Vallegrand."
