We the people

“We put him in power, we can also bring him down,” said a 30 year old laundry worker protesting the price hike.

On Friday Bolivia’s president Evo Morales “decided to rescind Decree number 748 and other measures that accompanied it." This is the result of widespread unrest that erupted following the passing of the decree.

Decree 768 removed price controls on fuel and raised the price of petrol by 83% and diesel by 73% in Bolivia. This move by the government was followed by an open-ended strike by the Bolivian bus drivers and demands for hike in bus fares by 100%. This is the highest fuel hike since 1991 in Bolivia.

Last year there have been many a decisions that have gone against the will of the people. France reformed its pension system even after facing stiff opposition from its people. UK introduced cuts in its education system thereby tripling costs. The austerity measures and cuts in Greece that followed after its debt crisis has led to mass protests in the region, but little has done to change the governments mind. The US passed the Bush Era tax cuts for the wealthy that was to expire at the end of 2010. And India deregulated its petroleum and oil industry, thereby allowing the industry to set prices according to international prices.

United we stand

The passing of the decree was met with thick resistance throughout the nation. All quarters joined in. Bus drivers, teachers, workers, farmers and other unions demanded the same. Morales’s strongest bases, coca growers, voiced their disdain at the price hike. Demonstrations muttered the word “treason” to describe Morales’s action.

The president’s attempt to stem down the discontent among the public, by announcing 20 percent minimum salary increase, was outright rejected by unions and civil groups. This move promised further marches, strikes and disruptions.

The united stand eventually led the president to bow down to public interest and repeal the law.

Divided we fall

India deregulated oil and gas prices in June 2010. Unlike Bolivia, this was met by mild resistance. There were protests and strikes only in states led by the left- West Bengal and Kerala. With little opposition, both within the parliament and amongst the masses, there was no need for any reversal in its policy. This move by the govt. has led to rise in food prices and other essential commodities.

The fundamental difference between Bolivia and India is the fact in the case of the former unions and civil groups came together when push comes to shove. They were loyal to their principles and did to stoop down to political alliances. They represented the will of the people they stood for and at the same time led them towards achieving their objective.

In our country people are often moved by politician's rhetoric which inturn leads to the wrong candidate getting elected. “All it takes is disgruntled voters who don’t know what’s at stake- and we have plenty of those. Banana republic here we come,” was what Paul Krugman had to say about Nassau County when they fell for the Tea Party campaigns. With millionaires in the Parliament and policies that are counter to public opinion we already might be a banana republic.