Table of Contents

Prologue: Venezuela's Permanent Dilemma-J.V. Lombardi. Introduction: The Search for Explanations-S. Ellner. Political Overview: The Breakdown of Puntofijismo and Rise of Chavismo-D. Hellinger. Social Polarization and the Populist Resurgence in Venezuela-K. Roberts. Hugo Chavez Frias: His Movement and His Presidency-M. Lopez Maya. Democracy in Uniform: Chavez and the Venezuelan Armed Forces-D.L. Norden. Economic Policy and the Rise of Hugo Chavez-J. Buxton. Subversive Oil-B. Mommer. State Reform Before and After Chavez's Election-A.E. Alvarez. Organized Labor Movement and the Challenge of Chavismo-S. Ellner. Civil Society: Institutionalization, Fragmentation, Autonomy-M.P. Garcia-Guadilla. The Hugo Chavez Phenomenon: What Do ""the People"" Think?-P. Marquez. Conclusion: The Democratic and Authoritarian Direction of the Chavista Movement-S. Ellner and D. Hellinger.

Reviews

An extremely valuable and balanced overview of Venezuela under the erratic reign of President Hugo Chavez, this timely book provides much of the essential background that has, so far, been notably absent in the policy debate. Kenneth Maxwell, Foreign Affairs