Hugo Chavez is the current President of Venezuela, having held that position since 1999. He was formerly the leader of the Fifth Republic Movement political party from its foundation in 1997 until 2007, when he became the leader of the United Socialist party of Venezuela.
His policies include Bolivarianism which also focuses on implementing socialist reforms in the country as a part of a social project known as the Bolivarian Revolution. A controversial “dictator”, his main goals are to ease poverty by not letting the United States buy out their resources. With the United States natural markets, Chavez is determined not to let the US consume resources they are capable of using, and not only that but he has made clear they will decide how they will use it as well.
There is much controversy from the United States because living standards of the majority of Venezuelans have dramatically improved under Chávez. Since 2004, when the government gained control over the oil industry and the economy had recovered from the devastating attempts to overthrow it, poverty has been cut in half by 70%. Millions have access to healthcare for the first time, and college enrolment has doubled, with free tuition for many students. Inequality also being considerably reduced.
Though the real question is with the United States believing Socialism is bad, being a Capitalist country, not Democratic; what do you think real democracy is? Should they be able to call Chavez a Dictator for keeping their resources to benefit the country, instead of selling the US their oil industries that won’t benefit their economy at all?
Chavez has a good post president past -- he is the son of two proud school teachers, he joined the army for 17 years where he learned good lecturing technique in which he is well known for as president. He took political sciences in graduate studies at the Bolívar University. He became very influenced by Juan Velasco Alvarado, the president of Peru, and many communists and socialist leaders such as Fidel Castro. This eventually led to his desire to become president. Now he’s been president since 1999 of Venezuela. In the past he was leader of the Fifth Republic Movement political party until 2007, when he became the leader of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela.
He has consistently aimed to put into place his dreams of a Bolivarian revolution and infuriating critics with his curbs on press freedom and free enterprise. Bolivarianism is named after Simon Bolívar, the 19th century Venezuelan general and liberator who led the struggle for independence throughout much of South America. Ideas include forming a union of Latin American countries, providing public education, and enforcing sovereignty to fight against foreign invasion, which has been interpreted to include economic domination by foreign powers. (1)
The controversy with America and the oil industry has however led to Venezuela dramatically improving. Unemployment and poverty have decreased and infant mortality is falling. New clinics and hospitals are going up. But for all the positive data, Venezuela is rarely held up as a model for development, largely because Chavez himself is so controversial. (2) (1)http://hisp.tamu.edu/research/keywords/Bolivarianism.pdf (2)http://www.theworld.org/2011/07/has-hugo-chavez-really-helped-venezuelas-poor/
Hugo Chavez, a former tank commander, has been president of Venezuela since 1998. He introduced a new constitution, which increased rights for marginalized groups and altered the structure of Venezuelan government. Chavez describes his policies as anti-imperialist and has been a strong adversary of the US foreign policy. (1) If he wins this election his aides say he is prepared to do more to do more to address security and economic concerns. In Venezuela he has many supporters, as he has brought the country out of poverty and raised the living standards.
Hugo is a part of the socialist left wing, and is therefore controversial to a more right-wing America. Although Chavez’s policies seem to be working in Venezuela, as the standards of living have drastically improved. Not only are there now less poor, but the poor that remain have more options.
Another concern for the American government at the moment is the large oil reserves that Venezuela holds. The Venezuelan government, under Hugo Chavez, is more focused on big government, unlike the capitalist policies of American Government, and big business. (2) Hugo means to control the oil reserves to further develop Venezuela’s economy, instead of allowing Americans to buy it out.
It is predicted to be the first close race for Hugo since his first election. Hugo Chavez’s seems to have a little lead right now though, and people are still rallying around him. Whoever wins though, the focus is on what will be done with the large oil reserves and how it could affect the future of oil around the world.
Since Hugo Chavez has been the president of Venezuela he has brought forth tremendous change that has helped the poorest and most impoverished parts of the country. Through education and healthcare he has bettered the country and truly been a president for the people. His recent victory was won with 54.4% of the votes for his party.(1) Hopefully Hugo Chavez will be able to use his presidential power to fight the high homicide rates and curb violence and corruption throughout Venezuela. As one supporter kindly put it: "Chavez is the hope of the people and of Latin America."(2) Hugo Chavez will be a strong contender on the world stage for showing the impact one man can have on a nation, and even a continent. The reason for the close vote are the high levels of violence in Venezuela. Some Canadian-Venezuelan's saidt that "they voted for Capriles in part because they are exasperated at the level of street violence present in their country." (3) All in all, Hugo Chavez needs to put street violence much higher on his list of priorities to really change his country for the better
This is my weekly post:
ReplyDeleteHugo Chavez is the current President of Venezuela, having held that position since 1999. He was formerly the leader of the Fifth Republic Movement political party from its foundation in 1997 until 2007, when he became the leader of the United Socialist party of Venezuela.
His policies include Bolivarianism which also focuses on implementing socialist reforms in the country as a part of a social project known as the Bolivarian Revolution. A controversial “dictator”, his main goals are to ease poverty by not letting the United States buy out their resources. With the United States natural markets, Chavez is determined not to let the US consume resources they are capable of using, and not only that but he has made clear they will decide how they will use it as well.
There is much controversy from the United States because living standards of the majority of Venezuelans have dramatically improved under Chávez. Since 2004, when the government gained control over the oil industry and the economy had recovered from the devastating attempts to overthrow it, poverty has been cut in half by 70%. Millions have access to healthcare for the first time, and college enrolment has doubled, with free tuition for many students. Inequality also being considerably reduced.
Though the real question is with the United States believing Socialism is bad, being a Capitalist country, not Democratic; what do you think real democracy is? Should they be able to call Chavez a Dictator for keeping their resources to benefit the country, instead of selling the US their oil industries that won’t benefit their economy at all?
1)http://www.progressive.org/mag_intv0706
2)http://www.usatoday.com/story/theoval/2012/10/01/obama-gets-endorsement-he-doesnt-want----from-chavez/1605359/
Chavez has a good post president past -- he is the son of two proud school teachers, he joined the army for 17 years where he learned good lecturing technique in which he is well known for as president. He took political sciences in graduate studies at the Bolívar University. He became very influenced by Juan Velasco Alvarado, the president of Peru, and many communists and socialist leaders such as Fidel Castro. This eventually led to his desire to become president. Now he’s been president since 1999 of Venezuela. In the past he was leader of the Fifth Republic Movement political party until 2007, when he became the leader of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela.
ReplyDeleteHe has consistently aimed to put into place his dreams of a Bolivarian revolution and infuriating critics with his curbs on press freedom and free enterprise. Bolivarianism is named after Simon Bolívar, the 19th century Venezuelan general and liberator who led the struggle for independence throughout much of South America. Ideas include forming a union of Latin American countries, providing public education, and enforcing sovereignty to fight against foreign invasion, which has been interpreted to include economic domination by foreign powers. (1)
The controversy with America and the oil industry has however led to Venezuela dramatically improving. Unemployment and poverty have decreased and infant mortality is falling. New clinics and hospitals are going up. But for all the positive data, Venezuela is rarely held up as a model for development, largely because Chavez himself is so controversial. (2)
(1)http://hisp.tamu.edu/research/keywords/Bolivarianism.pdf
(2)http://www.theworld.org/2011/07/has-hugo-chavez-really-helped-venezuelas-poor/
This is my weekly post:
ReplyDeleteHugo Chavez, a former tank commander, has been president of Venezuela since 1998. He introduced a new constitution, which increased rights for marginalized groups and altered the structure of Venezuelan government. Chavez describes his policies as anti-imperialist and has been a strong adversary of the US foreign policy. (1) If he wins this election his aides say he is prepared to do more to do more to address security and economic concerns. In Venezuela he has many supporters, as he has brought the country out of poverty and raised the living standards.
Hugo is a part of the socialist left wing, and is therefore controversial to a more right-wing America. Although Chavez’s policies seem to be working in Venezuela, as the standards of living have drastically improved. Not only are there now less poor, but the poor that remain have more options.
Another concern for the American government at the moment is the large oil reserves that Venezuela holds. The Venezuelan government, under Hugo Chavez, is more focused on big government, unlike the capitalist policies of American Government, and big business. (2) Hugo means to control the oil reserves to further develop Venezuela’s economy, instead of allowing Americans to buy it out.
It is predicted to be the first close race for Hugo since his first election. Hugo Chavez’s seems to have a little lead right now though, and people are still rallying around him. Whoever wins though, the focus is on what will be done with the large oil reserves and how it could affect the future of oil around the world.
(1) http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/oct/07/venezuela-election-hugo-chavez-capriles
(2) http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/06/opinion/how-hugo-chavez-became-irrelevant.html?hp
This is my weekly post.
ReplyDeleteSince Hugo Chavez has been the president of Venezuela he has brought forth tremendous change that has helped the poorest and most impoverished parts of the country. Through education and healthcare he has bettered the country and truly been a president for the people. His recent victory was won with 54.4% of the votes for his party.(1) Hopefully Hugo Chavez will be able to use his presidential power to fight the high homicide rates and curb violence and corruption throughout Venezuela. As one supporter kindly put it: "Chavez is the hope of the people and of Latin America."(2) Hugo Chavez will be a strong contender on the world stage for showing the impact one man can have on a nation, and even a continent. The reason for the close vote are the high levels of violence in Venezuela. Some Canadian-Venezuelan's saidt that "they voted for Capriles in part because they are exasperated at the level of street violence present in their country." (3) All in all, Hugo Chavez needs to put street violence much higher on his list of priorities to really change his country for the better
1) http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/oct/08/hugo-chavez-wins-venezuelan-election
2)http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/hugo-chavezs-socialist-rule-at-risk-as-venezuelans-vote/article4594948/
3) http://www.vancouversun.com/news/world/Hugo+Chavez+Henrique+Capriles+lead+Venezuela/7356769/story.html#ixzz28fy4yDRR