Responding to radical populism: Chavismo in Venezuela. Issue 2 (23rd February 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hawkins, Kirk A.
• Is Part Of: Democratization. Volume 23:Issue 2(2016)
• Page Start: 242
• Page End: 262
• Publication Date: 2016-02-23
• Subjects: populism -- Hugo Chávez -- Chavismo -- Venezuela -- democratic governance; Democracy -- Periodicals; Economic history -- 1990- -- Periodicals; Democratization -- Periodicals; 321.8
• DOI: 10.1080/13510347.2015.1058783
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1351-0347

Abstract

Abstract : What are the effective ways of responding to populists, especially radical populists in government? The pessimistic answer provided by Chavismo is that little can be done; most of the negative impact of highly populist movements cannot be avoided in the short to medium term. The reasons lie not only in Venezuela's unique oil-based economy, but in the country's previous failures of democratic governance, a condition shared by many developing countries. Such failures make it likely that radical populists will receive broad popular support. This does not suggest that international actors cannot play a useful role in responding to populism. But the most viable democratic strategy is a long-term one emphasizing patient efforts by domestic opponents to reorganize themselves into programmatic, pluralist options for the future.