Venezuela Reframed: Bolivarianism, Indigenous Peoples and Socialisms of the Twenty-First Century - Softcover

Angosto-Ferrández, Luis Fernando

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1783601973 ISBN 13: 9781783601974

Publisher: Zed Books, 2015

Synopsis

Venezuela has long been held up as a beacon of twenty-first-century socialism. Yet even as socialism has triumphed, proponents of capitalism and exploitative development have been gaining ground—most surprisingly, perhaps, within indigenous communities.

Venezuela Reframed unearths the hidden background of the “indigenous capitalisms” that are being promoted today within Venezuela. Luis Fernando Angosto-Ferrández illuminates the ways in which indigenous activism, aligned with Venezuela’s Bolivarian governments, has paved the way for development and modernization along classical, social-democratic lines, and how romanticized notions of cultural indigeneity have been used by developers to mask their intentions—and, ultimately, to hide signs of a growing class struggle. A powerful exploration of the challenges that indigenous autonomy poses for democracy and socialism in Venezuela and beyond, Venezuela Reframed will be essential for anyone grappling with the state of Latin American politics and its potential futures.

About this title

About the Author:

Luis Fernando Angosto-Ferrández is a lecturer in anthropology and Latin American studies at the University of Sydney.

Review:

“We have long needed this book! Until Angosto-Ferrández, no one had provided a probing analysis of Hugo Chavez's support for indigenous struggles. This book is required reading for understanding a key component of the Bolivarian revolution.” (Marc Becker, Truman State University)

“Angosto-Ferrández masterfully illuminates the dynamics, benefits, and contradictions of socialism for indigenous communities and interests in Venezuela. Identifying guaicaipurismo as a salient collective identity, the book demonstrates how this has been encouraged by but is also frequently in conflict with the state.” (Julia Buxton, Central European University)

“Angosto-Ferrández gives a detailed account of the political organization and strategies of Venezuela’s indigenous population. . . . An important account of an understudied movement.” (Latin American Politics and Society)

“Well written and replete with relevant and cogent arguments.” (Steve Ellner, author of Rethinking Venezuelan Politics)

“An admirable well-informed, insightful, and refreshing analysis of the dynamic relationships between the indigenous peoples and the State since Chávez came to power.” (Cristóbal Kay, Erasmus University Rotterdam (emeritus)

“An incisive analysis not just of Venezuelan indigenous movements but of Latin American radical politics in general. Truly essential reading!” (David Raby, author of Democracy and Revolution: Latin America and Socialism Today)

“Angosto-Ferrández’s outstanding analysis of indigenous collective action is a milestone in countering the disempowering anti-statism of the post-development era.” (Thomas Muhr, University of Nottingham)

“Obligatory reading for students of indigenous societies and economies and for those of us suspicious of some of the more romantic approaches to the 'Pink Tide' in Latin America.” (Barry Carr, La Trobe University)

“This vital works offers a nuanced assessment of the often contradictory relationship between the new indigenous movement and the Bolivarian political process. This book is essential to fully grasp the complex Bolivarian process underway in Venezuela.” (Miguel Tinker Salas, Pomona College)

About this edition

• Publisher: Zed Books
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 1783601973
• ISBN 13: 9781783601974
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 312