It mentions that the revolt on water privatization against bechtel started when the companys subsidiary aguas del tunari sa took over cochabamba water system in bolivia. Marginal revolution university recommended for you. How cochabamba s water war led to the reversal of privatization and recognition of selforganized water management in bolivia. These forcesthe world bank wb, transnational enterprises, national and regional governments and local elitescame together in cochabam. Pdf on jan 1, 2004, rocio bustamante and others published the water war.
At the mountainous center of south america, bolivias complex struggles with the scarcity and commodification of water captured worldwide attention at the turn of the twentyfirst century. Most of the times, it has been believed that the readers, who are using the ebooks for first time, happen to have a tough time before getting used to them. The communities of cochabamba taking control of their own. However, bolivias water problems reflect more fundamental issues than can be articulated. The conflict in cochabamba the third most important province in bolivia, called the. The commons operate according to who uses it uses and how it has been used customs. The cost of water tripled and it became necessary to buy a license to access water resources and a licensing system for collecting rainwater was also introduced.
Its aftermath by jim shultz pdf water war in cochabamba bolivia and future. Bolivias president, a former dictator, responded with armed troops and a suspen. Includes index the water war privatization organization war perspectives on the water war and the coordinadora the coordinadora by raquel gutierrezaguilar the multitude by alvaro garcia linera interview with luis sanchezgomez semapa. Price hikes of 200 per cent or more, combined with new legislation which eroded local control over water resources, ignited a water war which left at least one young man dead. For larger classes it may be advantageous to have subgroups which discuss the same theme to allow everyone to participate. Market reforms and water wars world politics cambridge.
It was the result of negotiations between social movements and the state during the water wars. The cochabamba water war 1 the cochabamba water war. It generated strong and diverse forces of resistance throughout the city to protest the privatization and, more generally, the imposition of neoliberal policies. Ninety percent of cochabambas citizens believed it was time for bechtels subsidiary to return the water system to public control, according to results of a 60,000person survey conducted in march. The conflict, known as the cochabamba water war, became symbolic of the struggles fought to protect common rights, proving that popular participation could have a major influence on decision making in regard to the management of public services. At the end, ask students what impact the rain shadow effect might have on the accessibility of water in cochabamba, bolivia. Mar 26, 2005 cochabamba water war in bolivia is of particular significance in understanding these rapidly unfolding events. The article focuses on the movements against the u. Oscar olivera is president of the cochabamba federation of manufacturing unit employees and 2001 winner of the distinguished goldman environmental prize. The outcome of a failed water privatisation in cochabamba, bolivia, has become a mantra. Water war in bolivia led eventually to overthrow of entire.
Today, more than one billion people live in waterscarce regions. Water privatisation policies and conflicts in bolivia. When the auction drew only one bidder, the government signed water resources over in a 40year concession to aguas del tunari, a foreignled consortium of private investors. Cochabamba water revolt timeline frontline world bolivias war over water the democracy center the cochabamba water revolt and its aftermath by jim shultz pdf water war in cochabamba bolivia and future scenarios from blue gold. Jul 05, 2011 oscar olivera oo is a trade unionist and leader of the famous water wars which unfolded in cochabamba in 2000 following the privatization of the citys water supply the water wars, which involved shutting down cochabamba for six months, were so successful because the social movements fighting against privatization of municipal water supplies were extremely well inform. The water wars, which involved shutting down cochabamba for six months, were so successful because the social movements fighting against privatization of municipal water supplies were extremely well informed. Article by raul zibechi, cochabamba, from water war to water management for uptodate information on the work done by local organizations that are the direct legacy of the water war, check out fundacion abril. Cochabamba is the third largest city in bolivia, pop.
Cochabamba has a history of water struggles and the tale of these two different approaches to water dates back to 1999 and 2000. The global legend of the great cochabamba water revolt was borna. Historically a common trust, water is now bought and sold as a private commodity. Water is arguably the substance most important to maintaining life on earth. The 2000 cochabamba water war provides the historical background and context for a perceived victory for the commons over privatization, followed by the morales governments use of a public ownership campaign to usurp the power of commons from the people. The system was characterized by significant maintenance and administrative problems. Images of the cochabamba water war february april, 2000. In 1999, at the suggestion of the world bank, the bolivian government came forward with the proposal law 2029 to privatize cochabambas water supply, and to sell it to a new company, aguas del tunari, a consortium of local and international capital, including bechtel of the united states massive profiteers. The tensions erupted when a new firm, aguas del tunari. Pdf how cochabambas water war led to the reversal of. Cochabamba water war cochabamba\water war bolivias water.
Cochabambas waterworks had been owned by the state agency semapa. A flashpoint in the global conflict over natural resources privatization. In 2001, water warriors there regained control of their water supply and defied all odds by driving out the transnational corporation that had stolen their water in the first place. However, the movement that emerged in 2000 during the water war to protest the privatization of the cochabamba water system involved a different process olivera et al, 2004. History of colonial, foreign, and class exploitation. A history of water in 20thcentury bogota virtual exhibition. This paper provides an overview about the world banks role, about the city of cochabamba, bolivia, and the public. Privatization triggers an uprising find, read and cite all the research you. Water war in bolivia led eventually to overthrow of entire political order south american country found itself in need of aid from imf and world bank tue, nov 18, 2014, 01. The triumphant struggle of grassroots activists in cochabamba, bolivia, sounded a. Cochabamba water war in bolivia oscar olivera, tom lewis. Bolivians end foreignowned water privatization in cochabamba. Privatization triggers an uprising powerful forces are compelling latin american countries to privatize state enterprises and public services, including water services.
In 2000, the proprivatization law 2029 was canceled and rewritten as drinking water and sanitation services law 2066. Cochabamba water war bolivias water war took place in 2000 in cochabamba as people rallied in opposition to the privatization of the local water and sanitation system crabtree and chaplin. Ppt the cochabamba water war powerpoint presentation. Tom lewis is latin america editor for the worldwide socialist evaluation and professor of spanish on the school of iowa. In september 1999, in response to this pressure, the bolivian government auctioned off the municipal water system semapa of cochabamba, a city of 800,000 residents. It depicts a team making a movie about the colonization of latin america, when the protests against privatization arise. Cochabamba chapter of the society of bolivian engineers was forced to consider alternative approaches to address water scarcity assies, 21. The international consortium aguas del tunari was granted a concession to supply drinking water and sewerage services to the city of cochabamba, bolivia in september 1999. Cochabamba, bolivia, urban water expansion case study water project summary. With billions at the mercy of an unrestrained marketplace, it is easy to understand why this precious resource is at the center of the international movement working to turn back the rising tide of corporate globalization. They were protesting the takeover of their city water system by a subsidiary of the u.
What happened in the guerra del agua water war in cochabamba started a process of wider grassroots participation in the formulation of regulations and policies concerning water resources. Jan 05, 2019 key points of bolivian policy reforms sparked by the cochabamba water war. Cochabamba, bolivia, urban water expansion case study water. Dignity and defiance sample chapter university of california press. On a personal note, i found cochabamba and the insights and vision of. In 1999 the us company bechtel was granted the concession to manage water services in cochabamba, bolivias third largest city. This paper will discuss the water war that took place in cochabamba, bolivia in 2000, written from the perspective of the world bank. February 8, 2000 word of the war over water hits western press a war over water, an onthescene report on the clash between riot police and protesters in cochabamba, is published by pacific.
Ninety percent of cochabamba s citizens believed it was time for bechtels subsidiary to return the water system to public control, according to results of a 60,000person survey conducted in march. When the turn came to getting rid of the water and sanitation system in the third largest city, cochabamba, to a transnational consortium, people had had enough. The cochabamba water revolt and its aftermath jim shultz in the opening months of the year 2000, the people of cochabamba, bolivia, took to the streets by the thousands. The water war in cochabamba, bolivia, is now one of the best known. It is in this context that the consejo interinstitucional del agua. New yorker writer william finnegan traveled to cochabamba to learn about the water war and to see what lessons could be drawn about privatization, globalization and the growing anger in latin. Jun 09, 2016 cochabamba has a history of water struggles and the tale of these two different approaches to water dates back to 1999 and 2000. Cochabamba water war cochabamba\water war bolivias. The wave of demonstrations and police violence was described as a public uprising against water prices. Oscar olivera oo is a trade unionist and leader of the famous water wars which unfolded in cochabamba in 2000 following the privatization of the citys water supply. Jan 01, 2014 the 2000 cochabamba water war provides the historical background and context for a perceived victory for the commons over privatization, followed by the morales governments use of a public ownership campaign to usurp the power of commons from the people.
Water war, reflects as a local example the central tension that exists around. Cochabamba, the water wars and climate change truthdig. How cochabambas water war led to the reversal of privatization and recognition of selforganized water management in bolivia. For an indepth history of the water war, as told by one of its crucial participants, see oscar oliveras book, cochabamba. Key points of bolivian policy reforms sparked by the cochabamba water war. Cochabamba water war in bolivia oscar olivera, tom. The world is running out of fresh water, and the fight to control it has begun. Water, privatization and conflict heinrichbollstiftung. As a result, the city of cochabamba continues to su er a prolonged water crisis.
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