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In Bolivia during 2007, conflicts emerged in response to the Constituent Assembly, the autonomies, and the allocation of the State's resources. The alignment of political actors in response to these issues defined the division between allies of the government and the opposition. In addition to describing these facts, this paper also analyzes the tensions among the executive, legislative and judiciary powers and the economic performance and foreign relations established by the government of President Evo Morales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What is the effect of political violence on the production of coca in the Central Andes? Does U.S. military aid reduce the amount of drugs that originate from this region? What other factors help explain the production of coca? Are the effects of U.S. military aid the same across the Andean nations? This paper tests the effects of political violence and U.S. military aid in the drug producing nations of Colombia, Bolivia and Peru. Our results are consistent with existing literature that emphasizes the obstacles that governments face as they attempt to suppress markets for prohibited goods. Our comparative analysis sheds new light on the limitations of the current U.S. policy, particularly in Colombia, where political violence has strengthened the global drug trade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The referendum of July 2004 in Bolivia over hydrocarbon policies in Bolivia disclosed many of the national problems that threatened social peace. This paper analyses the attitudes of different labor unions, political parties, and civic communities within the context of the referendum and how the stances of political and social actors in the referendum produced internal divisions. It also examines how these groups' different points of view on President Mesa's hydrocarbon policy contributed to the call for a referendum. The work demonstrates that for a short period of time the referendum served to legitimize Carlos Mesa's presidency but in a long run defeated of it own presidency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]