Bolivia

The United States certainly has its own myriad of problems and crises. However, there are many conflicts, ethnic race conflicts around the world. Bolivia was an indian land before Europeans (Spanish) turned the agricultural people into miners. That was about 500 years ago. The descendants of the Spaniards own most of the lands and farms and mines. The indigenous descendants do most of the farming and man the mines. This is probably not much of a surprise to most anyone reading this. If you believe this is unique, you have not gone outside much. 1825 saw the creation of an independent, constitutional Bolivia. That didn't help the ethnic bigotry. During the 1900s growing social movements won small battles until the 1950s when the indigenous population won suffrage and property rights. Although a majority, they have not been able to control the government. Finally 2 years ago, Evo Marales, a cocoa farmer and leader of the social movement, became President. He nationalized the gas industry and began work on a new constitution. Its that new constitution that is causing the current fuss. It seems that the the constitution, debated with several riots disrupting and suspending talks over the last 2 years, has specific language that legitimizes indigenous peoples' claims to titles of land never allowed before. It also limits land ownership to 24000 acres. This seems to be a fighting point. Several large land owners have said they would take up arms if the constitution passes. Not that they would lose any of their current holdings. It would be limiting to future titles. Land of course is power. I present this as another conflict in our world, happening around us. Can our government help this new democracy? should we? by example? by aid and trade? or do we aid the international companies that built the gas industry in Bolivia whose works have been nationalized by Morales? cut off trade or limit it and force Morales into positions more difficult for the democracy? These last were positions taken by previous US administrations. How will this change?