THE CRISIS OF THE POLITICAL PARTY SYSTEM IN BOLIVIA: CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES

This article deals with the main causes of the current crisis of the political parties in Bolivia. The first part analyzes the changes in the political system stemming from the 2002 elections, as well as its main consequences. The second part examines the decomposition of the political system and the erosion of political leadership in the aftermath of the demise of President Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada's government in October 2003. Finally, the article analyzes the current non-partisan administration of President Carlos Mesa. The author discusses the future of the political parties and the main challenges that lay ahead of them. In this context, political parties and leaders have lost credibility and authority, and many politicians tend to present themselves as "anti-political."