THE REAWAKENED BOLIVIAN NATIONALISM CREATED CHANGES THAT INITIATED BENEFICIAL PROGRAMS FOR THE PEOPLE The case study of Students Grant Recipients at San Francisco Xavier University

Abstract

Natural resources have demonstrated to be viable resources in the development of revenues that benefit a large number of Bolivia’s population. Hydrocarbons, oil, tin, are just few examples of the natural resources located within Bolivia´s territory. Currently the extraction of natural gas represents Bolivia’s main source of income allowing it to become the central pillar of the national economy. This paper explores the events related to the extraction of natural resources in Bolivia. It analyzes its sources and its characteristics, as well as the ways in which these events influenced the past and the present hydrocarbon policy. Through three different analytical theories: the political ecology, the extractivism and the Vivir Bien thus provide the framework for this thesis. This thesis is based on six months of research, first analyzing documents and literature on the hydrocarbon sector with interviews with academics and experts in the hydrocarbon field, gaining greater insight in the analysis prompting a wider research area. The in-depth analysis started with extraction of natural resource following with the development of legal framework to the distribution of the revenues. This thesis reveals first-hand the perception of some the recipients of the Student Grant Program.