Bolivia: Search for Stability
Abstract
The basic question addressed is why, after a period of twelve years of constitutional rule from 1952 to 1964, did the process of presidential change in Bolivia once more take on the appearance of traffic through a revolving door. The changes brought about in Bolivia by the National Revolutionary Movement (MNR) during its twelve year rule are examined along with the mistakes made by the MNR which eventually led to its downfall. The reemergence of the military as the dominant force in Bolivian politics and the numerous coups since 1964 are analyzed. The extreme ideological differences among the MNR leadership and the party's inability to aggregate the demands made upon it by the various sectors split the party and paved the way for the returns of the military. However, those same ideological differences also divided the military into various groups which continued to vie for power with individual personal ambitions serving as catalysts. It is concluded that the newest Bolivian government of Colonel Hugo Banzer Suarez will be faced with the same problems. However, with its broad civilian political base and support of a large majority of the military officers, it has a better than even chance for success.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 02, 1972
- Accession Number
- AD0912757
Entities
People
- Billy M. Mobley
Organizations
- United States Army War College