From 1999 onwards the government of Hugo Chavez has initiated a significant change regarding social policy developments in Venezuela by implementing primarily universalistic, citizenship-based welfare programs and reforms. This research study explains why such a change of social policy strategy has taken place. Based on the analysis of health care, education and pension reforms, it is argued that choices of political actors in the South American petro-state were structured and constrained over time by mechanisms triggered through oil dependency. Most importantly, empirical evidence suggests...