AN EXERCISE IN WORLDMAKING 2009 - ISS

3
Innovation in the Andes: Exploring
Participatory Local Governance in
Guamote
JONATHAN CONNOR
INTRODUCTION
Since the 1980s, decentralization and municipal democratization initiatives
in Ecuador have become increasingly widespread. This paper examines
emerging structures of participatory local governance in Guamote, a
rural municipality in the highland province of Chimborazo, Ecuador.
Over the past three decades, the municipality has experienced profound
transformations in its governance structures and the composition of local
power relations. Indigenous groups that were traditionally excluded
from public office and decision-making have come to occupy key leadership
positions in the municipality, access to resources is noticeably more
inclusive, and a variety of public consultation mechanisms have been established
in order to ensure greater representation and participation in
the municipality’s social and economic development. My central argument
is that Guamote’s success in initiating a relatively inclusive model
of local governance is the result of interventions by a range of actors,
including strong indigenous-peasant organizations and substantial external
support.
My analysis begins with a brief overview of municipal politics in Ecuador,
with attention to key state reforms. Section two then examines
important political transformations in Guamote, such as the election of
the canton’s first indigenous mayor and the creation of an Indigenous
and Popular Parliament. Section three reviews the factors contributing to
Guamote’s success, before turning to some of the challenges limiting
broader socioeconomic development in the municipality. I conclude that
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