Venezuela s Bolivarian Democracy brings together a variety of perspectives on participation and democracy in Venezuela. An interdisciplinary group of contributors focuses on the everyday lives of Venezuelans, examining the forms of participation that have emerged in communal councils, cultural activities, blogs, community media, and several other forums. The essays validate many of the critiques of democracy under Chavez, as well as much of the praise. They show that while government corporatism and clientelism are constant threats, the forms of political and cultural participation...

Venezuela s Bolivarian Democracy brings together a variety of perspectives on participation and democracy in Venezuela. An interdisciplinary group of contributors focuses on the everyday lives of Venezuelans, examining the forms of participation that have emerged in communal councils, cultural activities, blogs, community media, and several other forums. The essays validate many of the critiques of democracy under Chavez, as well as much of the praise. They show that while government corporatism and clientelism are constant threats, the forms of political and cultural participation...

THE POLITICS OF NARCOTIC DRUGS: A Survey aims to explore the complexities of the drugs trade, and the political challenges and opportunities that exist for more effective approaches to the issues involved. The various sections of this volume provide the reader with an insight into the numerous debates, histories and experiences of drugs and the drugs trade and, most importantly, highlight the fact that the policy challenges currently faced by societies and governments do not configure in a simplistic way around a pro- or anti-legalization discourse.

Contents include:

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This title was first published in 2001. The victory of former lieutenant colonel Hugo Chavez in the Venezuelan presidential elections of 1998 was criticized as a blow against the country's deep-seated democratic tradition. It is claimed that this simplistic argument fails to recognize the extent of democratic deterioration in the country and the limitations imposed by discredited political actors on a meaningful democratic reform process. The book aims to break new ground in providing unseen evidence of electoral fraud and offers a fresh perspective on the nature of democratic development.