LEADERSHIP IN BOLIVIA
Bolivian economy and society is characterized by high levels of inequity among the population. The main economic and social problem that Bolivia faces today is inequality in the distribution of income and benefits. According to numbers provided by the UNICEF, by 2002 more than 59 % of the population lived under poverty conditions, and around 24 % live under extreme poverty condition( Poverty).
The short-term perspective for Bolivia is not very good. The country has a lack of local and foreign investment, internal confidence, high uncertainty, and lack of credibility in the political system among other problems.
There is a continuous dissatisfaction from the people towards the current situation in Bolivia, which has lasted for decades. Many of Bolivian citizens are acclaiming for a change to improve the conditions of a one of the countries with the largest reserve of gas and lithium decades ago, but this change has not arrived( Liderazgo Politico). The economic conditions and the continuous dissatisfaction have shaped the leadership style and trend in the country.
Political Leadership
The economic and social situation in Bolivia has led to several changes in the political leadership style in the country in the last decade. The political leadership is in charge of President Evo Morales, leader of the Movement for Socialism party. He is the first president that has Indian origins and to come from a very poor family. He has not earned any higher education title, and before becoming the president of the country, he used to grow coca. His main supporters are the low-income families and workers who live in poverty. Indigenous are special supporters of his presidency. the calls and does not care about who is being affected. He is in a permanent fight against the wealthiest people in the nation; very similar to what Hugo Chavez does in Venezuela. This is driven by the existent inequality in the country were most on the national income and benefits goes to a few families.
It has been said that before Mr. Morales, the previous political leaders were traditional in their attitudes and character( Political Leadership in Bolivia). They were well prepared with prestigious degrees from the best universities in the world and from wealthy families. However, they had a limited perception of the reality of the country, usually ignoring the marginalized classes.
Leadership Crisis
Leadership in Bolivia is going through one of its toughest moments in history. Bolivians are divided and do not trust anyone. At this point, they are very vulnerable. The leaders, in the pursuit of their own frivolous goals, have left their supporters unattended.
A recent research by a private Bolivian university shows that leadership in the country is going through a crisis. In a survey conducted to 1500 people, 52 % think that political parties are necessary while 31 % believe they are not; 71 % think that those parties are not doing their job, and 63 % said that if there was an election they would not vote for any political party( Political Crisis). According to the survey, Bolivians do not believe any more in political parties and they prefer to stay away from them. The credibility of the political parties is damaged, and the leaders of those parties are the responsible for the situation. They are losing their supporters and a political party without supporters is doomed.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
The leadership style used by President Morales is a commanding and autocratic in style. He makes all 22 | L A T I T U D E 0 4 / 0 1 / 2013
A study conducted by the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor( GEM) in 2010, found out that in relation to