Answer:
Bolivia, a poor country in Latin America, witnessed popular struggles against privatisation of water i.e., it was against an elected democratic government. Main features:
- The story started when the Bolivian elected government sold it municipal water supply rights to a multinational company [MNC]. The company immediately raised the price of water four times.
- In reaction people rose to mass struggle but it was not led by any political party. A new alliance of labour human rights and community leaders organised a successful four-day general strike in the city in January 2000. Ultimately the government agreed to negotiate and the strike was called off. But yet nothing happened.
- Later on, an organisation comprising local professionals, engineers and environmentalists, farmers, confederation of factory workers union, middle class students, street children, formed the FEDECOR. They called another strike in April and the government imposed martial law.
But the power of the people forced the officials of the MNC to free the city and made the government concede the demands of the protesters.
- Lastly, the contract with the MNC was cancelled and water supply was restored to the municipality at old rates. This came to be known as 'Bolivia's water war?.
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