The National Democratic Institute for International Affairs and The Republic of Yemen Cosponsored by The United Nations Development Programme and The Government of Japan In Partnership with the Governments of: The Netherlands The United Kingdom The United States And the: Canadian International Development Agency Friedrich Ebert Stiftung International Labour Organization Irish Aid National Endowment for Democracy United States Agency for International Development Westminster Foundation for Democracy World Bank		Bolivia Country Summary english - french - spanish Bolivia has a presidential system of government. Along with other Latin American countries, Bolivia embarked upon the dual processes of political and economic liberalization in the early 1980s. The current democratization process began after 18 years of military-based authoritarian rule and two brief civilian governments. Since 1985 Bolivia has held four general elections that can be considered open, free and competitive. In 1997, the former military leader ousted in 1978 regained power via the ballot box. Bolivia has enjoyed four peaceful transitions of power since 1985, and military leaders have continued to support civilian control of the military. The popular participation law, promulgated in 1994, ushered in an unusual process of decentralization that garnered positive international attention. One unique feature is the granting of legal status to grassroots organizations to encourage their participation in, and oversight of, municipal government. Economic and Social Indicators Population: GNP: Per Capita GNP: Growth Rate: Illiteracy Rate: : Life Expectancy: 8 million $7.4 billion $950 figures unavailable 10%-males 24%-females 59-males 63-females The World Bank. World Development Report. Oxford Union Press,1999 Bolivia's political challenges have included balancing the role and powers of the executive and legislature, maintaining civil liberties while utilizing strong measures to fight drug trafficking, and responding to the needs and demands of various social groups in a society where much of the population still lives below the poverty line. Economic and social reforms at times have resulted in strong public protest by labor unions and other civil society organizations. Free-market economic reforms adopted in 1985 and supported by the IMF and the World Bank were targeted at reducing Bolivia's exorbitant inflation rate (it reached 24,000 percent in 1985). The reforms rapidly stabilized the economy, as inflation fell to 66 percent in 1986 and just 9 percent in 1994. Moreover, the stabilization was achieved without a severe recession; since 1987 the economy has been growing slowly at less than 1 percent. Unfortunately, the reforms have failed to reactivate growth through higher levels of investment and trade. In addition, expenditure on education and welfare has declined and income inequality has increased. [ Introduction ] [ Declaration ] [ Conference Transcripts ] [ Discussion Board ] [ Forum Home ] [ NDI Home ]