As a political scientist, I have a natural interest for democratic processes in developing countries. However, what I learned today contradicts most of what I have heard in lectures so far. It seems that in Bolivia, especially in rural areas of the Chapare and the Yungas, the right to vote is not a right like we know it in developed countries. Instead, people are obliged to go to cast their ballot, and go to manifestations, because if they dont, they have to pay a 50$ fine, which almost noone can afford, or their barracks are burnt down, or they are penalized in some other fashion. In the cities, it seems that people get a little paper when they register to vote, and when they want to claim their paychecks, they have to show that paper. If they do not have it, they do not get paid.
Makes me wonder about the validity of statistics that equal high voter turnout with a functioning representative democracy.
Makes me wonder about the validity of statistics that equal high voter turnout with a functioning representative democracy.
wow. are they also told who to vote for?
ReplyDeletethere is so much voter apathy and/or irresponsible democracy here in the usa that it's kind of disturbing.
Puuh, harte Geschichte und .... DAS wusste ich von Bolivien nicht! Die Frage ist, ob sich dieses System auf ganz Südamerika ausdehnt, wobei es ja schon schlimm genug ist, dass es sowas überhaupt gibt. Für uns Europäer ist das kaum vorstellbar und wieder bin ich froh in einem demokratisch gehaltenen Land zu wohnen, wobei es schon Sorge bereitet, mitzuerleben wie extreme Randgruppen zunehmend mehr an Breite gewinnen.
ReplyDeleteBussiiii Maam