Political Development In Venezuela - Essay Example

Venezuela Democratization Introduction to Venezuela democratization Venezuela is the part of South America, Texas is third smaller than Venezuela; Federal republic is the government system of Venezuela. It became republic in 1830; it was the time of uncertain dictatorships followed. Antonio Guzman Blanco was the leader from 1870 to 1888; he developed an infrastructure, expanded agriculture, and introduced foreign investment. Dictatorship was the political system of Venezuela, from 1908 to 1935 Gen. Juan Vicente Gomez, this was the time that Venezuela became a major oil exporter. After his death military junta was the dictator. In 1946 a new constitution was introduced by Leftist Dr. Rómulo Betancourt and the Democratic Action Party who won a majority of seats in a constituent assembly. Rómulo Gallegos, who was the famous writer, became first president in 1947 who was elected democratically for the first time in Venezuela. Military coup takes over the government within eight months, by demolishing Gallegos rule. Venezuela has been considered as one of the most established demo crated state in Latin America after the ousted of Marco Marcos Peréz Jiménez in 1958. Betancourt ruled from 1959–1964, and Rafael Caldera Rodríguez was the president from 1969 to 1974. 1 Historical events of Venezuela Venezuela has always faced the problematic situation in its politics; it has always been conquered by the martial coup its time line shows the major changes from 1498 to till date. In 1498-99 Christopher Columbus and Alonso de Ojeda visit Venezuela, Spanish colonization begins on the north-east coast in 1521.In 1749 Venezuela faced first rebellion against Spanish colonial rule. In 1810 - Venezuelan patriots took advantage of Napoleon Bonaparte's invasion of Spain to declare independence; independence act was signed in 1811. In 1829-30 Venezuela became an independent republic with its capital at Caracas after secedes from Gran Colombia. In 1870-88 - foreign investment modernizes infrastructure and develops agriculture and education were attracted during the government of Antonio Guzman Blanco. Ports were blockaded by British, Italian and German warship because Venezuela didn’t repay loans in 1902. In 1908-35 Venezuela became largest oil exporter of world. In 1958 – Democratic presidential election was won by Admiral Wolfgang Larrazabal ousts Marcos Perez Jimenez; leftist Romulo Betancourt of the Democratic Action Party (AD). From past twenty thirty years Venezuela has taken new boom in oil industry , new land reforms and economic reforms have been introduced in past few years by the democratic government. 2 Political Development in Venezuela Venezuela experienced the democratic politics for the first time in 1945-1948, in 1940 AD was removed from the government by the continuous influence of military, due to which AD joined the conspiracy of officers to remove the rule of military from the country. Mixed reform of administrative and government parties were approved as Pacted Democracy to show the opposition. New pact was introduced by three parties and businessmen to improve the economic and political condition of Venezuela. 1961 constitution was abolished to encourage the pact due to which pact enjoyed full discipline and organized form of government as it was accepted by the political parties. Result of this pact was that the voting system in legislature was only a formality; very few people really followed the points of pact. By the mid of 1980 AD was the largest democratic party which had largest numbers of members. Oil was the main cause of increasing the position of democracy in Venezuela. Oil played an important role in increasing the stability of democracy in Venezuela. Eventually the result of centralism of political parties of Venezuela resulted in the end of military dictatorship in the country which was the first positive step towards the success of country in the world. 3 Elections of 1973 were considered as a big challenge for Venezuela democracy. Venezuela politics took a turn when in 1975 President Carlos Andres Perez nationalized the oil industry. In 1973, Carlos increased the labour work; he also increased the intake of IMF in 1975 to increase the economic condition of the country. Venezuela few people became very rich, however the standard of living decreased drastically after 1970’s. In his second term presidency from 1988-1993, he took a new change, he decreased the government expenditures and increased the expenditure of labour which gave a change in the economic condition as well as in the political condition of the country. In violence of 1989 political condition of country got in trouble as the transporters increased their price where as the dealers were against it. Soon the condition turned into a horrible act of dacoit and looting of stores which resulted in loss of many people. Due to this violence conditions of different cities of Venezuela became worst and its sixteen cities were exploded. Military tried to took over to de-democratization of the state, which took place once again in 1992. 4 Current Political Situation in Venezuela President Hugo Chavez was elected in 1998; he dissolved the rule of Punto Fijo on the basis of corruption, economic disability and due to the negligence of the interest of common people in Venezuela. Hugo Chavez won elections again in 2000 and 2006 on the basis of his popularity among the common people, he has been ruling since nine years. Before the presidency of Hugo Chavez Venezuela was ruled by the power Punto Fijo which was dominated by two parties AD - , Democratic Action (Acción Democrática - AD) and the Social Christians (Partido Social-Cristiano-COPEI), the first priority which is given in the democracy is Freedom of speech. President Hugo Chávez of Venezuela has faced many controversies regarding the freedom of speech, he has been considered as dictator rather than a democrat in spite of the fact that his government is considered as the democratic way of politics. He was criticized by the people for not renewing the license of television channels in 2007. He gave the reason for not renewal of the license that his government was being abused openly and military coup were encouraged by the people. He said that with this act, it has nothing to do with the freedom of speech. After coming in the power Hugo organized the major issues of labour, manpower. It is considered by many political parties that best period of politics of Venezuela was between 1958 and 1998. Hugo created political party for which candidates were selected by Hugo himself in 2008, he himself financed the party and organized its pattern to overwhelm the political and economic issues of Venezuela. The issue between the government and Jewish community is always been a burning issue as the relation between the government and Jewish community is not peacefully; most of the Jewish community lives in Caracas. Only few businessman of Jewish community supported Hugo in election of 1998. Situations worsen after the police search in Jewish School where they found nothing as a result despite of the information of presence of weapons underground in 2004. 5 Conclusion Venezuela in today’s world of globalization is considered as one of the stable democratic country. It has increased the popularity ration in the world by winning the position of democracy and by developing international integrity among the countries. Venezuela government rules the economy. In 2008 government nationalized the cement and steel producers. It is the job of government to dominate the companies of electricity, telecommunication and media. Control of these companies is under the government In July 2008 bank sectors were also nationalized by the government.  Economic condition of Venezuela has increased rapidly due to the new reforms made by the government. Due to the greater exporters of oil Venezuela has enjoyed the stabled economic condition in 2008 but it is quite expected that the economic condition may suffer during 2009. Venezuela being a part of Latin America has acquired the position of democracy and will be ruling as one of the democratic countries in coming era although it has seen the martial law and dictatorship in previous years. 6 References Conclusion, Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, (January 2009), http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/35766.htm Accessed on April 25 2009 Charles Tilly, Political development in Venezuela,Democracy, pg no. 165-166 http://books.google.com/books?id=g2wyDu9B8xoC&pg=PA165&dq=Venezuela+democratization+and+politics#PPP1,M1 Accessed April 24, 2009 David J.Mayer, Current political situation in Venezuela, Political Science Professor , ( July 16,2008), pg.no 1-4 http://foreignaffairs.house.gov/110/mye071708.pdf Accessed on April 25 2009. Historical events of Venezuela, timeline Venezuela, http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/1229348.stm Accessed April 24,2009 Introduction to Venezuela democratization, Venezuela http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0108140.html Accessed April 24, 2009 Merille Sernill Grindll, Political development in Venezuela, Audicious reforms , chp institutional invention in Venezuela ,pg no 46-47 http://books.google.com/books?id=BglJhYC_qsUC&pg=PA45&dq=democracy+in+venezuela#PPA47,M1 Accessed April 24, 2009 Read More