Venezuela, the Present as Struggle: Voices from the Bolivarian Revolution

Venezuela, the Present as Struggle is a book that gathers the tools we need to navigate the treacherous straits between state and movements, economic crisis and sanctions, and to chart a radical course toward socialism. It is an eloquent testament to the lives of the Venezuelan people, especially the Chavista masses, who still aspire to the communal path to socialism that Chavez refined in his last years.

Format: Hardback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 01 December 2020
Publisher: Monthly Review Press,U.S.

“Today, more than ever, we need to listen to critical voices from the Venezuelan grassroots, and this is exactly what Venezuela, the Present as Struggle, gives us. Cira Pascual Marquina and Chris Gilbert have gathered the tools we need to navigate the treacherous straits between state and movements, economic crisis and sanctions, and to chart a radical course toward socialism.

Venezuela has been the stuff of front-page news extravaganzas, especially since the death of Hugo Chavez. With predictable bias, mainstream media focus on violent clashes between opposition and government, coup attempts, hyperinflation, U.S. sanctions, and massive immigration. What is less known, however, is the story of what the Venezuelan people – especially the Chavista masses – do and think in these times of social emergency. Denying us their stories comes at a high price to people everywhere, because the Chavista bases are the real motors of the Bolivarian revolution. This revolutionary grassroots movement still aspires to the communal path to socialism that Chavez refined in his last years. Venezuela, the Present as Struggle, is an eloquent testament to their lives.

Comprised of a series of compelling interviews conducted by Cira Pascual Marquina, professor at the Bolivarian University, and contextualized by author Chris Gilbert, the book seeks to open a window on grassroots Chavismo itself in the wake of Chavez's death. Feminist and housing activists, communards, organic intellectuals, and campesinos from around the country speak up in their own voices, defending the socialist project and pointing to what they see as revolutionary solutions to Venezuela's current crisis. If the Venezuelan government has shown an impressive capacity for adaptation and resilience, it is in large part due to the strength and determination of the Chavista masses.

The book also sheds light on the challenges that the Chavista movement faces in the post-Chavez era. While the movement has achieved significant gains in social and economic development, it is also grappling with internal divisions and tensions. Some Chavistas argue for a more moderate approach, while others advocate for a more radical vision of socialism. The book explores these differences and highlights the importance of finding common ground and building a unified movement that can carry forward the legacy of Chavez and the Bolivarian revolution.

In conclusion, Venezuela, the Present as Struggle, is a vital contribution to our understanding of the ongoing political and social crisis in Venezuela. By listening to the voices of the Venezuelan grassroots, we can gain a deeper appreciation of the complexities and challenges facing the country. The book provides a roadmap for navigating the treacherous straits between state and movements, economic crisis and sanctions, and charting a radical course toward socialism. It is a call to action for all those who believe in the power of grassroots movements to bring about positive change in the world.”

Weight: 622g
Dimension: 147 x 223 x 31 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781583678657