The author outlines the inherent contradictions behind the so-called "Andean and Amazonian capitalism" as played out in Bolivia. The pretense of socialism under the regimes in both Bolivia and Venezuela reflect a more nationalist oriented capitalist class willing to compromise with, and use, a more populist figure to hide behind. This draws on the historical phenomenon of caudillismo in South America.
...the increasingly confrontational stance of workers, lowlands peasants and other grassroots movements highlights the inherent contradiction of the state-power road pursued by the MAS [Morales’ ruling party, the Movimiento al Socialismo], where the latter increasingly finds itself reproducing the pattern of repressive, pro-capitalist policies that defined previous governments of the right.
