Hugo Chavez's Political Policies

At the end of the 90’s and beginning of the twenty-first century, several countries in South America elected leaders from the left wing political parties. Countries like Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela, represented the “Pink tide” movement that abandoned the neoliberalism economic system and the Washington Consensus and adopted progressive and social equality policies to favor the majority of their population. Moreover, these left leaders in South America are subdivided into two main groups: moderate and radical. These groups have different political inclinations and economic views. Moderate leaders’ policies are more cautious than the radical faction. They also accept and respect the structural limits and constraints of Globalization. On the other hand, radical countries (Venezuela and Bolivia) and their policies, s are bolder. They usually challenge the structures of Globalization and also embrace the politics of twenty-first century socialism (a term used by the late Hugo Chavez to describe the failures of capitalism and neoliberalism policies). In the end, both groups have failed to fully deliver the promises of economic reform, redistribution of wealth and direct democratic participation, however, it is important to examine the

For example, Luis Ignacio Lula da Silva in Brazil and Ricardo Lagos or Michelle Bachelet in Chile implemented policies that modified the constraints of the international system and avoided direct confrontation with local and international parties and investors. They also incorporated strategic policies with long lasting results rather than short term solutions while avoiding revolutionary and extreme attitudes. In addition, they negotiated economic and sustainable reforms with local opposition parties and international investors to maintaining a strong fiscal balance and increase employment. These countries, in the end, achieved considerable