Globalization spares no one

Globalization spares no one. Give it time, just give it time.  I’m sure the ants crawling up the trees of the Bolivian rainforests never thought it would affect them one day.

The indigenous living in the Isiboro-Secure Indigenous Territory and National Park, TIPNIS, are threatened today by globalization.  A Brazilian company aims to construct a road that will “give Brazil access to Pacific Ocean ports by connecting to highwaysin Chile and Peru.” Bolivian President Evo Morales, the same president who was elected largely through the support of the indigenous, seems to contradict himself now as he supports the construction of a road that will not defend, but instead harm those same individuals that got him into office.

Is it necessary that this road run through and destroy the communities of these individuals?  Is it a surprise that those individuals who live in the communities of those nature preserves take part in these protests? Is it really a surprise that violence has arisen among the police and indigenous groups protesting?

I don’t think so.

“Many critics say the road would open up the TIPNIS even more to coca growers and lead to further deforestation and destruction of the indigenous way of life.”

So with this coca road comes the potential of the replacement of other types of plantations with coca leaf plantations. On the other hand, supporters of the road argue that it will make it much more feasible for the indigenous to travel from one point to another, not to mention that medical travel can be improved at the same time.

Of course globalization isn’t entirely malevolent but what’s one to think when situations like this arise? These issues of transportation and trade will surly benefit many but harm many as well.  This is the reality nowadays.  The indigenous will protest, but what are their odds against these corporations that show little to no sympathy? A referendum is required so that they may begin on the project and President Evo Morales has issued a temporary halt to the construction.  He wants dialogue between both communities, but is it too late to turn back now? I hate to sound extremely pessimistic but if matters have reached this point and only until now is dialogue being sought, do the Bolivian President and those seeking to construct this road really pursue compromise?

This is a topic matter that has garnered much attention and much criticism but you can’t just go around pointing fingers.  Yes, there are key players in the decisions being made but no one person is really at fault.  Globalization is an integral part of today’s society; it’s the integration of national economies into the international economy.  It’s the bonding of the world’s economic order that has become stronger over time and continues to.  To blame President Evo Morales solely for the misfortunes that these indigenous may encounter would be wrong.  Then again, he is the President of Bolivia, the protector of the Bolivian people and one who has constantly defended Mother Earth.