City University of New York (CUNY) CUNY Academic Works Dissertations and Theses City College of New York 2020 Political Representation for Indigenous Peoples in the Andes Jessica Yepez CUNY City College How does access to this work benefit ou?y Let us know! More information about this work at: https://academicworks.cuny.edu/cc_etds_theses/829 Discover additional works at: https://academicworks.cuny.edu This work is made publicly available by the City University of New York (CUNY). Contact:
[email protected] Political Representation for Indigenous Peoples in the Andes Jessica Yepez May 2020 Master’s Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of International Affairs at the City College of New York COLIN POWELL SCHOOL FOR CIVIC AND GLOBAL LEADERSHIP Advisor: Jean Krasno Second Reader: Sherrie Baver Yepez 1 Table of Contents Abstract 3 Chapter One: Introduction 4 Chapter Two: Literature Review 8 Chapter Three: Ecuador 15 Chapter Four: Bolivia 23 Chapter Five: Ecuador and Bolivia, A Comparison 32 Chapter Six: Conclusion 46 Bibliography 47 Yepez 2 Abstract For years, there has been a lack of representation for indigenous peoples in communities, and most importantly in parliament. This is a very common trait in the South American Andes, which houses the largest number of indigenous groups in the continent. This thesis focuses on Ecuador and Bolivia due to their indigenous population and their history, or lack thereof, with indigenous people in parliament. For my hypothesis, I argue that parliamentary representation of indigenous peoples, can help ensure that their rights are protected, and their unique interests are heard and translated into relevant policies, while at the same time preventing conflict.