Nonviolent Resistance in Bolivia’s Age of Neoliberalism

Bolivia presents a unique case of the effectiveness of nonviolent resistance aimed not only at countering neoliberal policies but also changing the power relations within the country. This article examines how nonviolent resistance was implemented and transformed in Bolivia during six neoliberal administrations, from 1982 to 2003. The economic solutions touted by the Washington Consensus gave rise to the emergence of counter-hegemonic social movements that rejected and opposed Western ideals of neoliberalism. For a little over two decades and six Bolivian administrations, the government promoted these neoliberal policies of state deregulation, liberalization of trade, and the privatization of public enterprises. The imposed economic principles of neoliberalism provided the opportunity for mass mobilization of union workers, miners, campesinos, cocaleros, university students, political activists, and community leaders. From hunger strikes to road blockades, mass protests, and marches, this article describes the benefits and outcomes of nonviolent resistance campaigns and will detail how these nonviolent strategies were used to fight against government sponsored neoliberal economic reforms.