http://globalvoicesonline.org/2006/09/08/bolivia-on-the-brink/ The world is talking. Are you listening? Sun, 27 May 2012 06:55:59 -0400 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 http://globalvoicesonline.org/2006/09/08/bolivia-on-the-brink/comment-page-1/#comment-947945 C Stanish Thu, 05 Apr 2007 15:47:27 +0000 http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/2006/09/08/bolivia-on-the-brink/#comment-947945 I worked in Bolivia for years. The indigenous Aymara and Quechua people were treated with mind-numbing disrespect, akin to South Africa's racially-segregated society in before democracy. I amy not agree with many of Morales' economic positions, but 60% of Bolivians do. He enjoys widespread and solid support among his citizens, a level greater than any leader in the Western Hemisphere at this moment. As any behavioral economist or game theorist knows, all humans will act irrationally pro-social when dignity and self-respect are part of the cost-benefit analysis. The economic consequences of Morales' decisions may be collectively negative, but the desire to live in dignity will trump any other cost for 3/4 of Bolivian society. In this landlocked, agrarian society with a pathetically weak military, the poor and the disrespected hold most of the cards. Get ready for an interesting few years. I worked in Bolivia for years. The indigenous Aymara and Quechua people were treated with mind-numbing disrespect, akin to South Africa’s racially-segregated society in before democracy. I amy not agree with many of Morales’ economic positions, but 60% of Bolivians do. He enjoys widespread and solid support among his citizens, a level greater than any leader in the Western Hemisphere at this moment. As any behavioral economist or game theorist knows, all humans will act irrationally pro-social when dignity and self-respect are part of the cost-benefit analysis. The economic consequences of Morales’ decisions may be collectively negative, but the desire to live in dignity will trump any other cost for 3/4 of Bolivian society. In this landlocked, agrarian society with a pathetically weak military, the poor and the disrespected hold most of the cards. Get ready for an interesting few years.

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