Un pueblo eminente

Abstract

Ernesto Laclau’s perspective on populism allows for a more accurate understanding of the current political scene in Bolivia than a focus on the concept of “social movements.” In Santa Cruz, Bolivia’s economically strongest department, certain historical and social characteristics have produced strong regionalist sentiment against the central government and a militant and absolutist identity discourse. The Cruceño opposition movement revolves around a civic institutionalism allied with the region’s economic and cultural powers represented by the Comité Pro Santa Cruz (Pro—Santa Cruz Committee). Since the October 2003 crisis, without being a political party, it has managed to position itself as a conservative actor with tremendous power of assembly in challenging the policies of the Morales government.