So what is up with Uruguay? 

  At the forefront of Uruguay stable and accepting sociopolitical persona is incumbent President Jose Mujica (elected 2009), also known as “Pepe”. He has referred to himself as a “humble peasant” and lives on a farm outside of the capital. He has endeared himself to the international community, receiving numerous accolades and praise by Latin and North American leaders while being portrayed by the Guardian as the “best leader in the world.” [1] Many of his policies, controversial and the widely accepted, such as legalization of marijuana, gay marriage and acceptance of GITMO detainees all stem close to social equality and quality of life for Uruguay’s citizens. “Pepe” is also a critic of lavish lifestyles and over-consumption of resources and goods. He has been quoted as saying “I’m an enemy of consumerism. Because of this hyper-consumerism, we’re forgetting about fundamental things and wasting human strength on frivolities that have little to do with human happiness.”[2]  

 Jose Mujica is a member of the majority party the Broad Front Coalition and was once a leader within the Tupamaro Guerilla group that operated in Uruguay in the 1960-70s against the military dictatorship that ruled the country from 1973-85. President Mujica was arrested on several occasions during this period and spent at least fourteen years in prison. However, he still managed to support amnesty for military personnel convicted of human rights abuses from the era of dictatorship.[3] He also served in politics as the Minister of Agriculture prior to winning the Presidential elections in 2009. President Mujica is for all intents purposes “the real deal” there has been criticism but no indications of corruption. Due to Uruguay's past history with peaks of stability and low points of economic decline and civil unrest, insurgency and dictatorship, any indications of corruption or political covertness will likely be a significant negative impact on the trust. The President has managed to lead Uruguay on to a path of increased stability and manageable prosperity focusing on the truly important aspects of a strong and sustainable society. "Pepe's" style of living and leadership is probably best described by Eddie Vedder’s lyrics “you think you have to want more than you need. Until you have it all, you won't be free”.[4]

Although President Mujica is perceived as a staunch socialist, man of the people and an example of a realist/minimalist he is also the leader of a country that is small in size and draws real power from the people. "Pepe" must carefully weigh his objectives in order to set the conditions for voter confidence to stay the course for the policies that he and his majority government have initiated. By sticking to socialist platforms in a country that is relatively stable economically and with a low wealth gap his policies will likely survive and endure the test of time. Overall, his leadership has put Uruguay on the map internationally for all the right reasons.

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[1] Bourcier, Nicolas, and Christine Legrand. "Uruguay's José Mujica: The 'humble' Leader with Grand Ideas." Guardian Weekly. Guardian News and Media, 27 May 2014. Web. 27 May 2014. .

[2] Planas, Roque. "‘World's Poorest President' Rages Against The Necktie, Calling It A ‘Useless Rag'" The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 21 May 2014. Web. 27 May 2014. .

[3] Bourcier, Nicolas, and Christine Legrand. "Uruguay's José Mujica: The 'humble' Leader with Grand Ideas." Guardian Weekly. Guardian News and Media, 27 May 2014. Web. 27 May 2014. .

[4] Vedder, Eddie. Society. Eddie Vedder. I Tunes, 2007. MP3.