A New Perspective on Bolivian Populism

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Date

2009-06

Authors

Ramirez, Lindsay Cherith

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

University of Oregon

Abstract

Since assuming office in January 2006, Bolivian President Evo Morales has been hailed as a populist by media and academic sources alike. Yet, scholarly theories have indicated that populism is unviable in office. This thesis will utilize a case study of Morales' presidency to test hypotheses of populist routinization. After establishing a working definition of populism, it will compare a baseline sample of Morales' prepresidency discourse to a second sample taken after his transition to power to determine whether the "essence" of populism has indeed been compromised. Ultimately, this thesis argues that theories of routinization are incorrect: although the characteristics of Morales' populism change after assuming the presidency, his appeals to and identification with common sense and ordinary values actually grow stronger in office.

Description

viii, 64 p. A print copy of this thesis is available through the UO Libraries. Search the library catalog for the location and call number.

Keywords

Morales Ayma, Evo, 1959-, Populism -- Bolivia, Bolivia -- Politics and government -- 1982-

Citation