Economic Globalization and Bolivia's Regional Divide

Bolivia provides an example of the immense complexity of local responses to globalization. This paper emphasizes the regional differences that influence how Bolivians react to economic globalization and in particular to the terms of sale of natural gas. Some high-land indigenous communities contest aspects of the neo-liberal global economy while many in the lowland mestizo class embrace opportunities that come from participation in the global economy. The election of Evo Morales in 2006 has brought many of these differences to the forefront because he has vowed to favor domestic consumption of natural gas over export and take seriously the state’s responsibilities to the poor.