Buscador
From ideology to pragmatism: Bolivia’s pendulum swings
Bolivia begins a new chapter under Rodrigo Paz, who marks a shift from ideological statism toward market pragmatism and the decentralization of power.
COP30: The time of the Amazon
The climate crisis has become evident through extreme events in various regions of the planet: prolonged droughts, severe storms and floods, and unprecedented heatwaves. Its effects directly impact people’s lives—especially the poorest and most vulnerable—deepening inequalities and putting pressure on economies. According to the IPCC Report published in 2023, there are already technical solutions available to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; however, their implementation still lacks political coordination, international cooperation, and adequate financing. It is in this context that COP30, held in Belém, assumes historic significance. In recent decades, international climate debate has consolidated the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, according to which developed countries should shoulder a larger share of the effort—due to their historical contribution to emissions—while developing countries must also assume their part. Although industrialized nations face major challenges in decarbonizing the industrial and energy sectors, Brazil and its Amazonian neighbors have a different emissions profile, as their main sources stem from land-use change—particularly deforestation and forest degradation. According to the FAO, Brazil—though responsible for a relatively small share of global emissions—is among the ten largest emitters and holds the world’s greatest reserve of carbon in living forest biomass. Therefore, the existence of the Amazon is crucial for...
Parties, Money, and Democracy in Ecuador
The issue of public financing for political parties has entered Ecuador’s political debate following President Daniel Noboa’s proposal to eliminate it, for which he has called a popular referendum on November 16. Political parties are essential actors for the existence and consolidation of modern democracies. Their role in articulating interests, representing citizens, and competing for political power has been widely recognized in political theory. However, their functioning depends largely on how they are financed. The origin of the resources sustaining their activity determines not only their independence but also their legitimacy before society. In contexts where private financing predominates, the system becomes vulnerable to capture by economic groups or even organized crime. Therefore, public financing is not a concession but an indispensable tool for ensuring the integrity of the democratic system. The democratic function of political parties Political parties can be understood as organizations oriented toward the pursuit of political power through citizen mobilization and support. In addition to articulating social demands, these organizations play a central role in structuring political competition, influencing the configuration of the party system within a democracy. In contemporary contexts, it has been noted that many parties tend to depend heavily on state resources, acting as intermediaries between society...