Bolivia (Oxfam Country Profiles Series) [Paperback]

Marcela Lopez Levy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2001 | Series: Oxfam Country Profiles Series

More rural people live below the poverty line in Bolivia than in any other country in the world. While the country's rich natural resources are controlled and exploited by a privileged minority, the indigenous majority struggle to subsist on the poorest soils, or migrate to swell the teeming shanty towns that surround the cities. Disempowered and marginalised for centuries, the indigenous elements of this culturally diverse nation are now uniting to claim the right to be heard and to be included in the political process. This Profile examines the phenomenon of the campaign for 'popular participation', which aspires to create a more equal society, one in which the poorest will be protected from the rigours of economic 'stabilisation' measures, and the economic potential of the nation can be realised for the benefit of all.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Country briefs are usually full of useful statistics and not much else... This series is an exception. Its context is the issues that affect the poor, and, since the poor are the majority in developing countries, the overviews it offers are particularly relevant. New Scientist.Possibly the most valuable contribution made by Oxfam's flourishing Country Profiles series is to remind us of the diversities too often obscured by generalisation ... These Country Profiles would add flesh and blood to the austerities of development studies at A-level and beyond. Michael Storm, TES.

Product Details

• Paperback: 88 pages
• Publisher: Oxfam Publishing (July 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0855984554
• ISBN-13: 978-0855984557
• Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 6.2 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,608,485 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #100 in Books > Travel > Latin America > South America > Bolivia

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars An uninspiring profile of a provocative country., June 6, 2004

By 

Allan M. Gathercoal "fdoamerica" (Norcross, GA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bolivia (Oxfam Country Profiles Series) (Paperback)

Normally, 'Oxfam Country Profiles are enticing, enlightening and well worth the price of the purchase - not this one. This Oxfam Profile doesn't live up to the engaging style, nor the insight, of other Oxfam Country Profiles that I have read; such as John Crabtree's - Peru (see my review).

Like the CIA webpage (recommended that you visit) this book is full of statistics, but statistics alone do not give one the insight needed to understand the social fabric and ethos of Bolivia. After reading the text I came away knowing that Bolivia is the poorest, most oppressed, socially unequal country in South America, but hungered to understand the reason that is so.

Marcela Lopez Levy writes in a somber, yet informative, encyclopedia style. Her text, although filled with facts, fails to engage the reader. For example, in her chapter 'People and Power', her opening sentence reads: "For many observers of Bolivia in the Latin American context, it is the strength and vigor of its popular organizations, campaigning for the justice in the political, economic, and social areas, that is the salient characteristic of Bolivian society". Yawn.

That said there are some insights to glean from this book. One interesting insight was Marcela Lopez Levy's reflections on the Aymara language (spoken by 25% of the Bolivia population). The Aymara language has logic that is very different from the dualistic (true/false, good/evil etc.) logic of most European languages. Marcela Lopez Levy states that in the Aymara language: "A statement may be true, it may be false or may contain its own proportions of truth and falsity. These partly true, partly false statements can be specifically named and communicated in a way that Spanish and English cannot convey (actually politicians have perfected this aspect of language). Also, in the Aymara language the future is behind the speaker and past in front. Given the importance of language for structuring thoughts, it is not surprising that the past seems so 'present' in everyday conversations." Interesting insight.

Throughout the book, the photographer, Marj Clayton, B&W photos add life to what is otherwise an uninspiring book. Kudos. 2.5 stars Conditionally recommended.