Poli 130: Democratic Backsliding in Venezuela

The rise and resilience of Charisma in Venezuela 2) Emergence of Charisma( 1999-today)

-Cris of political political representation during Punto Fijo era (1958-1998) -Fiscal crisis and neoliberal reform packages (1998-90s) -Social Unrest- El Caracazo (1998)

Mounting problems in Venezuela's democratic years

-Emergency crisis of 1979- economic growth reversed -Currency devalued (1983); nonliteral reforms (1989,1996) -Social unrest in 1980s and early 1990s; two coup attempts (1992) -President Perez (AD) impeached on corruption charges (1993)

The rise and resilience of Charisma in Venezuela 3) Resilience of Chavismo and move towards Authoritarianism

-High oil prices in 2003-3008 and 2010-2012 Expanded control over institution -courts, elections, military, and media -weakened civil society and opposition; erosion of civil liberties

Sources of authoritarian strength

-How has oil wealth strengthen the Chavista regime? a. Foreign-polocy shield b. Cushion against hyperinflation and shortages a. Vast expansion of social policies 2. Centralization of power and control of key institutions 1. 1999 Consitituiton 2.Control of legislature and Enabling law(government can rule without approval of congress) 3. Control over the court, the military and National Electoral council 3. Eroded civil liberties; weakening of cicil society and opposition 4. Control od the mass media -decline in press pluralism

1) The centrality of oil in Venezuela

-In Venezuela's transition to a modern nation state -During Venezuela's Punto Fiji Democracy (1958-1998). This is when democracy in Venezuela was stable. More like elites negotiating what is going to be the democratic model. -It strengthen the Chavista regime (1998-present

Transition to democracy after 1935

-New parties emerged: Ad (1941) central party; COPEI (1946) socialist christian that turned central right. After 1956 the ideological differences became minimal -Action demoxratic engaged in intense organization activity. Allied with Catholic Church and labor union. The church eases the work AD had to appeal to people -El Trienio Adeco(1945-1948) ended with the 1948 coup -Dictator Marcos Perez Jimenez (1933-1938): He built cable cars and beautiful university

Chavismo in Power-Some hi lights

-Reelected in 2000, 2006, 2012 -Very charismatic and popular -Nationalized key industries -Government controls the price of basic goods ex. rice, cheese -Far-reaching social programs (misiones) -Cover free health, free computers in school -Community Schools created for a parallel structure to municipalities. Government diverted resources to unelected representatives. They were backed by consituion and resources. Took away power from democratically elected mayors and other officials. -Macroeconomic policy proved to not work well -Chavez died in 2014

A packed democracy? The Punto Fijo Pact (1958)

-Sought to maximize political stability-Period of exclusionary politics -Oil revenue increased social spending 1. Lower classes organized into clientelistic party networks . Giving people washers to vote for them 2. High spending on education, social security, health care -Huge increase in literacy, modernization of public school system, increased life expectancy

Economic crisis today

Economy is shrinking High inflation Affects the working class In 2016, 74 percent of Venezuelan lost 20 pounds Hunger is an issue It is a violent country-criminal issues criminal violence shapes community

1998 Elections

Hugo Chavez: 56 percent : campaigned on working on behalf of working poor. Had anti-imperialist tone. Critical of world bank and IMF. He was also backed by some important member of business elites. Henrique Romer: 40 percent Irene Saez: 3 percent

Understanding Venezuelan Inflation

Understanding Inflation 2013: 20 dollars=bolivars 2015 20dollars=13,648 Today 20 dollars=622,180 dollars

Venezuela in 1950s

Used to be a very wealthy, very stable democracy

Democracy Today

Venezuela could be categorized as authoritarian regime as well as Cuba. Before it was a hybrid regime.

Birth of Modern Nation state (1899-1935) 2) Juan Vicente Gomez

a. Centralized powers and allied with important rural caudillos b. Rise in salaries and life expectancy c. Modernized infastrcuture-highways, bridges Europes influences

Birth of Modern Nation state 1) Discovery of oil by foreign companies (1919)

a. Decline of agriculture weaken rural elites b. Rural-urban migration: People moved to oil-fields ad cities c. Growth of middle and working class