The Bolivian revolution of 1952 aimed at modernizing the country. The first point of the analysis is the limited success the revolutionaries achieved. The second one is the alliance of the intellectuals and the workers, an alliance which happened in other revolutionary situations too, i.e. the Polish Solidarity Movement at the end of the 20th century.

The Bolivian revolution in 1952 aimed at modernizing the country: the revolutionaries nationalized the large tin mines, limited the power of the upper classes, proceeded to the agrarian reform, and tried to strengthen the role of the state in the economic life. Because the success of the revolution was limited, it is necessary to discuss the economic instruments, which a country may use to limit its backwardness. The second important point, which makes the 1952 revolution interesting is the alliance of the intellectuals and the workers, an alliance which can also be observed in the Polish «Solidarity» movement at the end of the 20th century.

Autorentext

Marcin Kula is professor emeritus of Warsaw University and professor of the Aleksander Zelwerowicz National Academy of Dramatic Art in Warsaw. Historical sociology is his main field of study.

Inhalt
Contents: Bolivia first! The devil incarnate: la Rosca To take the rightful place among the nations of the world All power to the labor unions? The new (old) nation Let us bring Bolivia into the 20th century.