Party Politics, Intermediation and Representation

Abstract

Since the restoration of civilian government in 1982, Bolivia has experienced an unusually long period of relative political stability. Although not free from moments of crisis — for instance the hyperinflationary crisis of 1984–5 which cut short the mandate of Hernán Siles Zuazo — this has been a period in which constitutional institutions have become more firmly established and stability has resulted from a politics of consensus based on multiparty coalition governments. However, in addressing the question of viability, we seek to go further than a discussion of the consolidation of democracy; for democracy to become consolidated it first needs to be viable. As we have discussed in Chapter 1, viability depends on the extent to which institutions are rooted in society in a meaningful way. Ultimately, democratic viability refers to the capacity of democratic institutions to mediate social demands and pressures such that these may be represented at the level of the state; viability is determined by the interface and interaction between societal forces and the political system in a way that leads to enduring legitimation. Political parties play a key role in this process of mediation.