¡Cochabamba! Water War in Bolivia
by Oscar Olivera
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Description
A new phase in the international movement to turn back the rising tide of corporate globalization was marked by US protests in Seattle and the triumphs of grassroots activists in Cochabamba, Bolivia. Volumes have been written about the struggle to shut down the World Trade Organization meetings, but little has been documented about the arguably more successful struggle to regain control of Cochabamba's water supply and kick out the transnational corporation that privatized it. Cochabamba show more Water Rebellion in Bolivia tells this story - the story of the first great victory against corporate globalization in Latin America. Oscar Olivera, a forty-five-year old machinist, was at the center of the movement that brought tens of thousands of ordinary people to the streets in the Andean city of Cochabamba, Bolivia. a first hand participant in the victorious rebellion and street battles that have inspired activists in social movements around the world. Cochabamba explains how the city's water supply was sold to Aguas del Tunari, a subsidiary of the US-based transnational corporation Bechtel. Water prices subsequently rose astronomically and poverty-strapped Bolivians refused to pay Olivera explains the process of organizing an opposition movement coalition - the Coordinating Committe for the Defense of Water and Life - and relates the dramatic struggles that eventually defeated the neoliberal privatizers. Olivera reflects on the themes that emerged as a result of the war over water (rapidly becoming the world's new oil); the fear and isolation which the Cochambambinos overcame through a spirit of solidarity and mutual aid; and the Bolivian government's criminalization of social movements ad part of US president Bush's global 'war on terrorism.' Cochabamba also discusses the impact of the 'water wars' on subsequent battles with transnational corporations and financial institutions. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
I really enjoyed the first essay, then a couple at the end under the Gas War section, but the ones in between were mostly reiterations of how bad neoliberalism is. Definitely a great realization of what massive citizen action can do. I hope the people of Cochabamba can reverse more of the negative effects of global capitalism in their future efforts.
This book tells the story of the Water War, the first great victory against corporate globalization in Latin America.
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South End Press
35 works; 1 member
Author Information
3 Works 67 Members
Common Knowledge
- Original publication date
- 2004
- Important places
- Bolivia; Cochabamba, Bolivia
- Dedication
- This book is dedicated to
Camila, Natali,
Juan Jose, Devyn, Diego, Grant,
Libertad, and Solidaridad - First words
- From my mother, the factory, the irrigators, and ordinary working people, I learned that we must all be like water -- transparent and in movement.
It was in April 2000 -- just days after the people of Bolivia's victory in the Water War and just months after popular pressure caused the collapse of the WTO ministerial in Seattle -- that I first met Oscar Olivera. - Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)But they can never privatize our ability to dream of a world with justice.
- Blurbers
- Hauter, Wenonah; Shultz, Jim; Shiva, Vandana
Classifications
- Genres
- Economics, Nonfiction, Politics and Government, General Nonfiction, History, Business, Science & Nature
- DDC/MDS
- 333.9122098423 — Society, Government, and Culture Economics Economics of land and energy Other natural resources Water energy - Hydrologic
- LCC
- HD4465 .B5 .O45 — Social sciences Industries. Land use. Labor Industries. Land use. Labor Industry Industrial policy. The state and industrial
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 62
- Popularity
- 498,096
- Reviews
- 2
- Rating
- (3.70)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper
- ISBNs
- 2
