From Bolívar to Bolivarian Revolutions: Rewriting Constitutions, Rewriting the Future?

Venezuela & Bolivia: Using Socialist Change to Fight Historic Continuities!

“El Libertador,” “The Liberator” Simón Bolívar Venezuelan Creole “Ahead of his time.” abolish slavery rule of law participation LA cooperation not progressive Frees & drafts constitutions: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru

Contexts of Constitutional Change... BOLIVIAVENEZUELA 3% indigenous 43% poverty (individual) 2.3 CPI score (2006) 73% imported food oil = 90% all earned $ 55% indigenous 70% poverty 2.3 CPI score (2006) physically split natural gas exports “Quinta República” Constitution = articles Chávez (1998)

Strides Towards “21 st -Century Socialism” change historic inequality: “dying” focus on political & economic rights strengthen economic nationalism develop intra-regionalism promote strong anti-U.S. rhetoric

“Although imperfect, no country anywhere in the world is closer to a model of democracy than Venezuela under President Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías.”

Revisions & More Revisions! The Constitution: “La Bicha” “The Monster” 1999 rewritten under Chávez’s 1 st administration expands popular participation (#s go up!) current revision = 33 articles (x < 10%) national referenda (15-D) – the day! expand central government = death to federalism freedoms whittled with supporting legislation

“It’s Not About the Money...” Challenges to Success rule of law? penetration of corruption? rising violence? vs. judiciary... forward focus – yes & no further isolation? nothing set in stone... favoritism not professionalism too elaborative – what about brevity? activity ignores context & continuity... what was wrong in the first place?

Venezuela’s Constitution... Initially in 1961 (Art. 60) Guaranteed liberty, free of torture (Art. 61) No discrimination based upon “race, sex, creed or social condition” (Art. 64) Everyone has the right to travel freely throughout the country, change residence (Art. 66) Right to express thoughts through speech or writing & diffuse it by any means (Art. 73) The State will protect the family as the fundamental unit of society (Art. 77) The State will improve living conditions of the rural population

The Venezuela of the future... ?... evolve into the “Cuban Bargain”... violent country – military entrance?... economic dependency heightened... limited development (entrepreneurs?)