David and Goliath Metaphor Impactful
The public’s communication strategy was the most effective in the Cochabamba water war. Their communication strategy: the David and Goliath metaphor frame was the most powerful because it humanized their image and efforts.
Olivera reflects that the public’s narrative was successful because everyone saw, “the importance of uniting all workers on the basis of clear objectives, and of having a transparent leadership that shares in the suffering of ordinary people, and of the mass mobilization of workers from both the city and the countryside.” (Olivera 2004, 126)
The public’s communication strategy was the most effective in the Cochabamba water war. Their communication strategy: the David and Goliath metaphor frame was the most powerful because it humanized their image and efforts.
Olivera reflects that the public’s narrative was successful because everyone saw, “the importance of uniting all workers on the basis of clear objectives, and of having a transparent leadership that shares in the suffering of ordinary people, and of the mass mobilization of workers from both the city and the countryside.” (Olivera 2004, 126)
Significant Media Coverage
The media helped the public’s network to expand. Protestors “heard ordinary people being interviewed on the radio saying things like: “We’ve got to take to the streets,” “They’ve unleashed the dalmatas against us,” and "We can’t let them get away with beating us” (Olivera 2004, 35). Olivera explains, “I think the press played a huge role [in the protests] because it revealed to the populace what was going on in the city” (ibid).
Jim Shultz, an independent news reporter, covered the conflict and published his reports in Western media. His reports globalized the issue.
The media helped the public’s network to expand. Protestors “heard ordinary people being interviewed on the radio saying things like: “We’ve got to take to the streets,” “They’ve unleashed the dalmatas against us,” and "We can’t let them get away with beating us” (Olivera 2004, 35). Olivera explains, “I think the press played a huge role [in the protests] because it revealed to the populace what was going on in the city” (ibid).
Jim Shultz, an independent news reporter, covered the conflict and published his reports in Western media. His reports globalized the issue.
Bechtel Ended Contract with Bolivian Government
With the death of Victor Hugo Daza, a teenage protestor, the Bolivian government signed the agreement with Oscar Olivera to remove Aguas del Tunari. Because people were more willing to organize and mobilize protests after the boy’s death, Betchel felt the pressure to leave and was scared of the protestors.
With the death of Victor Hugo Daza, a teenage protestor, the Bolivian government signed the agreement with Oscar Olivera to remove Aguas del Tunari. Because people were more willing to organize and mobilize protests after the boy’s death, Betchel felt the pressure to leave and was scared of the protestors.
SEMAPA Changes Regulations
In addition to winning the water war, the public managed to modify labor relations and laws at large. SEMAPA became regulated and moderated by the public’s voice and input.
Olivera explains, “This conflict has made it possible for ordinary people to understand not only that things must change in our country but also that they can be changed…We have begun to decide things from below, and our desires have become a reality…we are attempting the necessary genuine transformations in decision-making and in the ways democracy is conducted” (Olivera 2004, 132).
In addition to winning the water war, the public managed to modify labor relations and laws at large. SEMAPA became regulated and moderated by the public’s voice and input.
Olivera explains, “This conflict has made it possible for ordinary people to understand not only that things must change in our country but also that they can be changed…We have begun to decide things from below, and our desires have become a reality…we are attempting the necessary genuine transformations in decision-making and in the ways democracy is conducted” (Olivera 2004, 132).