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What inspiration do we get from Bolivia’s popular struggle ? Explain any three values that we can learn from it.

The popular struggle in Bolivia involved claims on an elected, democratic government. It was about one specific policy , thereby, it inspires how a popular struggle is integral to the working of a democracy. In the Bolivian “Water War” people were dissatisfied with the decision of the government of giving up its control over municipal water supply and the subsequent hike in water tax imposed by the multinational corporation. This led to spontaneous popular protests as the water cost began to make a dent in the household budget of the people. An alliance of labour, human rights and community leaders organised a four day strike which was called off after the government agreed to negotiate. It was due to such protests by the people that the MNC contract was cancelled and the municipal water supply was restored to old rates. Thus the Bolivian water war teaches us values of :

(a) Unity – In the Water War, people of all classes, whether poor or rich joined the struggle against the government.

(b) Equality of access – The Bolivians fought for the right to access of water at subsidized rates, thereby, fought against the hike in the water tax.

(c) Freedom of expression – We also learn about the value of freedom for expression. In the water war, the Bolivians expressed their anger to the government's submission of power to control water to the MNC in the form of strikes and negotiations.


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