Consider the following statements:1. Bolivia is a country in East Eur...
People’s successful struggle against privatisation of water in Bolivia reminds that popular struggles are integral to the working of democracy. Bolivia is a poor country in Latin America. The World Bank pressured the government to give up its control of municipal water supply.
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Consider the following statements:1. Bolivia is a country in East Eur...
Statement 1: Bolivia is a country in East Europe.
This statement is incorrect. Bolivia is not located in East Europe. Bolivia is actually a landlocked country located in South America. It shares borders with Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile, and Peru.
Statement 2: Bolivia’s water war is its people’s successful struggle against privatization of water.
This statement is correct. The "water war" in Bolivia refers to the Cochabamba protests that took place in 2000. The people of Cochabamba, Bolivia's third-largest city, rose up against the privatization of their water resources.
Explanation:
The Cochabamba protests were a response to the government's decision to privatize the city's water supply and award the contract to a foreign consortium, including the Bechtel Corporation. The privatization led to a significant increase in water prices, making it unaffordable for many residents.
The protests began as peaceful demonstrations and strikes by various groups, including farmers, workers, and indigenous communities. However, they escalated into violent clashes with the police and the military. The protesters demanded the cancellation of the water contract and the return of water resources to public control.
The water war gained international attention and solidarity, with various human rights organizations and activists supporting the protesters. Eventually, the government was forced to negotiate with the protest leaders, and in April 2000, the contract with the foreign consortium was canceled.
The Cochabamba protests marked a significant victory for the people of Bolivia in their struggle against the privatization of water resources. It highlighted the importance of access to clean and affordable water as a basic human right and sparked a broader movement for water justice globally.
In conclusion, statement 1 is incorrect as Bolivia is not located in East Europe. However, statement 2 is correct as Bolivia's water war indeed represents the successful struggle of its people against the privatization of water resources.
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