Changing Venezuela by Taking Power: The History and Policies of the Chavez Government [Paperback]

Gregory Wilpert (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1844675521 | ISBN-13: 978-1844675524 | Publication Date: June 29, 2006 | Edition: 1

This acclaimed history of Chávez's Venezuela argues that it could be a model for peaceful revolution.

Since coming to power in 1998, the Chavez government has inspired both fierce internal debate and horror amongst Western governments accustomed to counting on an obeisant regime in the oil-rich state.  In this rich and resourceful study, Greg Wilpert exposes the self-serving logic behind much middle-class opposition to Venezuela's elected leader, and explains the real reason for their alarm. He argues that the Chavez government has instituted one of the world's most progressive constitutions, but warns that they have yet to overcome the dangerous specters of the country's past.

Editorial Reviews

Review

This fascinating study—deeply informed, penetrating in its analysis, comprehensive in scope—explores the historical and socioeconomic roots of the Venezuelan initiatives of recent years, the conflicts they have engendered, the achievements and pitfalls, the animating ideals of a genuinely participatory society, and the prospects for realizing them in ways that, if successful, might have significant impact not only for Latin America but well beyond. (Noam Chomsky )

Greg Wilpert knows Venezuela intimately and gives us the most thorough and objective analysis of the Chavez government's policies we are likely to find. A thoughtful and useful book for the 21st century and, let us hope, beyond. (Susan George )

Gregory Wilpert's book combines academic insight with perspectives gained from living in Venezuela through the tumultuous years of the Chavez administration. His book offers the best general introduction to the complex politics of a country and a leader making a profound impact on global politics at the dawn of this new century. (Daniel Hellinger )

About the Author

Gregory Wilpert is a sociologist, freelance journalist, and a former US Fulbright Scholar in Venezuela.

Product Details

• Paperback: 312 pages
• Publisher: Verso; 1 edition (June 29, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1844675521
• ISBN-13: 978-1844675524
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #155,387 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #10 in Books > History > Americas > South America > Venezuela

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Something Useful, March 28, 2008

By 

Mr. Seng C. Soh (Australia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Changing Venezuela: The History and Policies of the Chavez Government (Hardcover)

This book unlike any other book written on the Hugo Chavez governments policies went into a great detail on how well the Chavez government has been performing in its attempts to ride the country of judicial corruption, reform land distribution, building cooperatives, spending of social security for Venezuela's poor. It is not only a book filled with rhetoric for left wing writers but had concrete facts and figures about the Chavez revolution. I would throughly recommend this book, if you were trying to research the effects of the Chavez governments economic and social policies.

10 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book covering a whole range of aspects, February 22, 2008

By 

C. Albrechtsen - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Changing Venezuela by Taking Power: The History and Policies of the Chavez Government (Paperback)

This is a great book which covers many different aspects of the Chavez government, as well as giving some background into the country politics, before and during Chavez. It is a great book since it not only presents some facts, but also makes good analysis of the ongoing politics in Venezuela. This is a must for anyone who wants to know more on Venezuela and the Chavez politics.

13 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Most informative and balanced report on Venezuela today, November 8, 2007

By 

Dada Maheshvarananda (Caracas, Venezuela) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Changing Venezuela by Taking Power: The History and Policies of the Chavez Government (Paperback)

The author, who for several years has been running the excellent web page, www.venezuelanalysis.com, is one of the best specialists in Venezuela today. He with his wife Carol Delgado (whom he credits in the acknowledgements as being in effect a co-author) have compiled the most insightful book about the changes that Venezuela has undergone at every level.

He does not avoid the problems and shortcomings of the Bolivarian Revolution. His extensive work with integral thinker Ken Wilber deepens his analysis as he uncovers layer upon layer of governance and culture to understand the true reality of what is happening. The most comprehensive and well-written report on the social experiment that the whole world is watching. Invaluable.