[greeneggs]

What is the logic for reciprocity? Isn't it better to treat tourists well, regardless of their own countries' policies? By treating American tourists poorly, do they think those tourists will pressure the US government to relax its border controls?

[grecy]

>What is the logic for reciprocity

I don't pretend to know, but I can think of a few possible reasons:

^ Do unto others what you would have them do unto you.

^ Educate foreigners about the realities of how their country treats other people (obviously many don't know, even the author of the article is seemingly clueless).

^ Change the policies of their home country (as you suggest).

^ Realize that for an American, $100 is not a lot of money, so it's a good source of revenue in itself.

^ Realize that Bolivia is absolutely, jaw-droppingly stunning, and any American traveling in South America won't let the little $100 fee stop them, because it's clearly worth it.

[kuschku]

Just speculating: Maybe making sure that if a discussion about border controls comes up in the US, enough people know how bad it is to go through them themselves and vote against them?

[maaku]

Since when did US populace vote in border controls?

[kuschku]

Not directly, but if the population doesn’t want stronger controls, no presidential candidate will pick it up.

[maaku]

What matters is what a sitting president will do. Unfortunately that doesn't correlate very well with what presidential candidates say.