Topic: 2025 – Authoritarianism and Democracy
Country: Bolivia
Delegate Name: Taylor Winkelman
Special Political and Decolonization Committee
Authoritarianism and Democracy
Plurinational State of Bolivia
Taylor Winkelman
City High Middle School
The condition of countries undergoing democratization and autocratization relies heavily on international players, including the United Nations. As reported by the Varieties of Democracy Institute (V-Dem) in 2025 and past years, autocratization has been on the rise in every region in the world, posing a threat to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 16: peace, justice, and fair institutions. The percentage of people living in democracies has deeply declined from 51% in 2004 to 28% in 2024. Though, as stated in their 2025 report, support for democracy is one of the most visible trends from the 2024 elections. Data shows the fragility of democracies in developing countries but also the success it has brought to those countries, which makes it all the more important to protect. These concerns significantly affect Bolivia, as it experiences an immense economic crisis with inflation rates that have skyrocketed. Bolivia was under socialist president Luis Arce Catacora from 2020 to October 2025. This presidency came with strict regulations on all parts of the government, including the central bank and industries like natural gas and mining, which account for the majority of Bolivia’s exports. Policies as such have caused an economic crisis in the present day, in which Bolivians have experienced the highest inflation in 38 years at a rate of 24% (As cited by the Foundation for Economic Education). In this November’s presidential election, Arce was defeated by Rodrigo Paz Pereira, who is committed to transitioning Bolivia into a capitalist nation. Additionally, he plans to suspend ties with autocratic countries and bridge relationships with Bolivia’s democratic neighbors, for example, the United States. Bolivia hopes that with foreign partnerships, it can be put on the path of economic growth and stability.
Bolivia is not unfamiliar with the effects of authoritarian regimes, as it had a calamitous twentieth-century politically. From the 1960s to the early 1980s, Bolivia encountered political instability, including several coups, most prevalent in 1984, when there were three separate military governments in just 14 months. Bolivia fluctuated dramatically politically, which caused a halt in development and growth in most aspects. During this period, Bolivia flourished briefly under Victor Paz Estenssoro, who influenced political parties to adopt democratic viewpoints. He made significant progress toward economic and social stability, and his policies continued into the president who came after him. These policies were brief, due to the drug trafficking ties of Estenssoro’s successor, they demonstrate clearly the benefits politically, socially, and economically that were provided under a democratic government.
Through a strong consensus, Bolivia believes the UN can help motivate countries to continue democratization and make a U-turn away from autocratization, which only leads to economic and social turmoil, as seen in Bolivia’s history. Solutions to this topic must support democracy in all countries, using a framework that not only ensures that democratizing countries continue their current momentum, but also incentivises autocratizing countries to turn around before it is too late. Bolivia urges that there should be incentives provided by international actors, measures to ensure economic and social stability, and work with national organizations to increase democratic processes globally. Using trade and economic incentives from influential actors and monetary institutions like the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, the UN can promote democracy in developing countries by facilitating loans from economic institutions, giving countries the resources to stabilize. For developed countries, the UN can support pro-democracy organizations at a national level to encourage public support for democracy. By addressing the differing needs of the world, the UN can help every country look towards a more democratic future.
