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Communes and the Venezuelan State: A Historical Perspective

Wayne Carter

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Published in Communes And The Venezuelan State: The Struggle For Participatory Democracy In A Time Of Crisis (Social Movements In The Americas)

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The commune movement in Venezuela has its roots in the Bolivarian Revolution initiated by Hugo Chavez in 1999. Chavez's vision for Venezuela included a decentralized, participatory democracy in which popular power would be exercised through communes. Communes are self-governing units of territory that are organized by the people who live there. They have the power to make decisions about their own development and to manage their own resources.

Communes and the Venezuelan State: The Struggle for Participatory Democracy in a Time of Crisis (Social Movements in the Americas)

by Anderson Bean

5 out of 5

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The first communes were established in Venezuela in 2006. By 2012, there were over 1,500 communes in the country. The communes have been involved in a wide range of activities, including housing construction, food production, healthcare, education, and environmental protection. They have also played a role in the defense of Venezuela's sovereignty and independence.

The relationship between communes and the Venezuelan state has been complex and evolving. Initially, the state provided significant support to the commune movement. This support included funding, training, and technical assistance. However, in recent years, the state has taken a more hands-off approach to communes.

This change in approach has been due in part to the economic crisis that Venezuela has been facing since 2014. The crisis has made it difficult for the state to provide financial support to communes. It has also led to a decrease in popular support for the government, which has made it more difficult for the state to justify its involvement in the commune movement.

Despite the challenges, the commune movement in Venezuela continues to grow. Communes are increasingly seen as a way to empower Venezuelans and to create a more just and equitable society. The movement is also gaining international recognition as a model for participatory democracy and self-management.

Challenges Facing Communes

The commune movement in Venezuela faces a number of challenges, including:

Lack of funding: The state has reduced its financial support to communes in recent years. This has made it difficult for communes to carry out their activities.
Lack of training and technical assistance: Communes often lack the training and technical assistance they need to effectively manage their own affairs.
Political opposition: The commune movement has faced opposition from some sectors of the Venezuelan government and from the opposition parties. This opposition has made it difficult for communes to gain legitimacy and to access resources.

Opportunities for Communes

Despite the challenges, the commune movement in Venezuela also has a number of opportunities, including:

Growing popular support: The commune movement is gaining popularity among Venezuelans. This is due in part to the fact that communes are seen as a way to empower Venezuelans and to create a more just and equitable society.
International recognition: The commune movement is gaining international recognition as a model for participatory democracy and self-management. This recognition can help to legitimize the movement and to attract resources.
Support from the Venezuelan government: The Venezuelan government continues to support the commune movement, although its support has decreased in recent years. This support can help to provide communes with the resources they need to succeed.

The commune movement in Venezuela is a unique and innovative experiment in participatory democracy. The movement has faced a number of challenges, but it also has a number of opportunities. The future of the commune movement is uncertain, but it has the potential to play a major role in the development of a more just and equitable Venezuela.

A Group Of People Working Together In A Communal Setting. Communes And The Venezuelan State: The Struggle For Participatory Democracy In A Time Of Crisis (Social Movements In The Americas)

References

Chavez, H. (2006). Speech at the First National Congress of Communes. Caracas, Venezuela.
Comunas de Venezuela. (2012). Communes in Venezuela: A Model for Popular Power. Caracas, Venezuela.
Ellner, S. (2016). Communes and the Bolivarian Revolution in Venezuela: A Historical Perspective. Latin American Perspectives, 43(2),136-153.
Farrera, J. (2017). Communes in Venezuela: A Model for the 21st Century Socialist Revolution. In P. Harvey, A. Herod, & T. Wright (Eds.),The Handbook of Neoliberalism (pp. 365-379). London, UK: Routledge.
Gobierno Bolivariano de Venezuela. (2006). Ley Orgánica de las Comunas. Caracas, Venezuela.

Communes and the Venezuelan State: The Struggle for Participatory Democracy in a Time of Crisis (Social Movements in the Americas)

by Anderson Bean

5 out of 5