Rethinking revolution in the Andes: Contrasting logics of social transformation in Bolivia.

The article focuses on the contrasting theoretical frameworks of plurinationalism and hegemony as models for social transformation and revolution in Bolivia. Plurinationalism, rooted in indigenous movements in the Andes, calls for a fundamental restructuring of the state to recognize and empower multiple distinct indigenous nations within a unified but decentralized political system, challenging the traditional nation-state model. In contrast, the theory of hegemony, influenced by Antonio Gramsci and developed in Bolivia by Álvaro García Linera, emphasizes the creation of a unified political subject through consent and leadership within the existing nation-state framework. The article highlights tensions between these approaches, noting that while Bolivia’s 2009 constitution established a plurinational state, much of the transformative potential remains unrealized due to the persistence of hegemonic state structures. Ultimately, the discussion raises questions about the limitations of state-centric revolutionary theories and the possibilities for alternative, pluralistic forms of political organization.