WHAT’S GOING IN VENEZUELA?

LEARNING OUTCOMES

-Understanding how geographical situation affect development

-The ability to have an intelligent conversation over Spring Break

THINGS DON’T HAPPEN ALONE……they happen in CONTEXT:What is happening in a place is a result of forces operating concurrently at multiple scales.

Essentially, a country is not insular, but it is influenced by other countries.

It’s the whole reason we care about Venezuela, Hugo Chavez disliked Bush, etc.

CONTEXT (CONT.)The CONTEXT of today, is a result of things that happened in the past.Colonialism is one of the greatest influences. Made the world capitalistic.

Neo-Colonialism:Politically independent, but the economy of former colonies is still controlled by colonial powers.

Indirectly still control a country through limiting business or investment.

What good is cotton if you have no one to sell it to?

STRUCTURALIST THEORYStructuralist Theory: Points out that it is hard to change the world wide economy, it has a structure. Part of this structure is wealth centered in specific places (Core Countries, Developed Nations, Former Colonies) REMEMBER! Wealth begets wealth!!!

Development Theory:Part of what the structuralists say. Economic relationships between countries and regions control and limit the economic development possibilities of poorer areas. Example: Giving investment money to a country to build an oil drill.

DOLLARIZATION…Dollarization:When other countries tie their money into a wealthy countries economy May switch over completely to the dollarMay tie the value of their currency into the dollar.

Dollarization furthers dependence on a foreign power.

(DEBATABLY) OUR FRIEND HUGO CHAVEZ…

President of Venezuela 1999-2013 (died). Lot’s of love or hate for the guy.CommunistFamed for his dislike of the U.S.Famed for George W. Bush’s dislike of him Led a coup d’etat while in the military, failed, got

released and eventually elected president. Bush may or may not have tried to kill Chavez. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOsABwCrn3E

CONTEXT

Former colony. Venezuela has oil.Lot’s of it. In fact, the most. It maybe hiding some.Oil has value b/c people need/want oil.

NO TO NEO-COLONIALISM

No.

• To Stop U.S. Involvement Chavez:• Nationalized oil and other industries in Venezuela

• Nationalize is government control (hence communism)• State run media sources/television• Lot’s and lot’s and lot’s and lot’s and lot’s and lot’s and lot’s of money from oil.

• Money from oil is state money.• Used money to fund social programs and reduce

poverty.• Limited use and import of foreign money

(dollarization)

• Felt the U.S. was trying to control Venezuela• Because they wanted greater say in oil.

…AND THEN CHAVEZ DIEDPresident Nicolas MaduroPolitical Successor to ChavezHand Chosen By ChavezWon election by NARROW marginWas member of government when ran for office Remember: Government controlled media

Inherited some significant problemsRising inflation Economy ENTIRELY dependent on price of oil

THE LAST WEEK IN VENEZUELAProtests began by studentsWanting: 1) More Security, 2) More Goods, & 3) Freedom of speech

3 Students Killed By Pro-GovernmentAnti-Government GroupPushing for President to Resign

THIS WEEK CONT.Current President Nicolas Maduro Blames U.S. for inciting rebellionU.S. Diplomats were kicked out as a result

The “Oppossition” to MaduroBiggest name: Leopoldo LopezEncouraging ProtestsGovernment has tried to arrest

We will have to see how it unfolds….