Deepening Democracy in Post-Neoliberal Bolivia and Venezuela: Advances and Setbacks

This book analyzes the successes and failures of efforts to move beyond market democracy in Bolivia and Venezuela, highlighting power struggles between elites, the left-led government, and organized popular sectors. It offers a novel explanation of the partial and stuttering efforts to advance a post-neoliberal democracy, with insights on anti-system leaders, the impact on democracy, and interactions with social movements.

Format: Hardback
Length: 236 pages
Publication date: 28 February 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive book delves into a timely and intricate examination of the triumphs and challenges encountered in the pursuit of moving beyond market democracy in Bolivia and Venezuela. A convergence of democratic representation and socio-economic precarity paved the way for anti-system outsiders to emerge on the left flank of traditional party systems, thereby initiating a transformative post-neoliberal democratization process. However, power dynamics played out between a recalcitrant elite, left-led governments, and organized popular sectors, shaping the trajectories of these projects. Simultaneously, processes witnessed a mix of democratization and de-democratization, characterized by a partial deepening and extension of democratic quality for popular sectors alongside the bending of liberal norms. By comparing the varying balance and forms of power among competing actors, this book offers a novel and rich explanation of the partial and stuttering efforts to advance a post-neoliberal democracy in Bolivia and Venezuela.

This book provides valuable insights into the emergence of anti-system leaders and parties, their impact on the quality of democracy, and the interactions between progressive governments and social movements. With its focus on Latin America and development and political science, this book is of interest to researchers and scholars across these fields.

In conclusion, this book offers a comprehensive and insightful analysis of the successes and shortcomings of efforts to move beyond market democracy in Bolivia and Venezuela. By examining power dynamics, democratization processes, and the interactions between different actors, it provides valuable insights into the complex dynamics of post-neoliberal democratization in the region. This book will be of interest to researchers, scholars, and policymakers seeking to understand the challenges and opportunities of democratic development in Latin America and beyond.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032201481