What inspiration do we get from Bolivia's popular struggle? Explain any three values that we can learn from it.
People’s sucessful struggle against privatisation of water in Bolivia reminds us that popular struggles integral to the working of democracy. Bolivia is a poor country in latin America. The World Bank pressurised the goverment to give up its control of municipal water supply. The company immediately increased the price of water by four times. 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.
The values-
(i) Democracy evolves through popular struggle.
(ii) Democratic conflicts is resolved through mass mobilisation.
(iii) These conflicts and mobilisation are based on new political organisation.
Q18 :How is democratic government known as responsive government? Explain with examples.