The Effects of Chavez's Populism on Today's Venezuela

Abstract

This research analyzes the current economic crisis in Venezuela and its impact on human rights. The majority of Venezuelan citizens have been negatively impacted by hyperinflation, deteriorating healthcare systems, and government corruption. Mass emigration of Venezuelans to neighboring countries has placed great stress on the region as a whole, and the international community has yet to recognize Venezuela’s plight as an official refugee crisis. Drawing upon recent news articles, this research intends to understand how the economic system left in place by former Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez began to crumble after current Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro was elected. It utilizes diverse news sources to analyze the causes of Venezuela’s sunken economy in order to provide insight towards plausible solutions. Exploring various options for alleviating economic hardship at the individual and nation-state levels, this paper aims to reflect on ways in which government corruption and consolidation of power within the Venezuelan political system could be eradicated. I have briefly analyzed the efficacy of methods such as economic sanctions, external military intervention, humanitarian aid, and collective action in alleviating Venezuela’s problems. As evidenced by this research, there is not one concrete, unambiguous answer to the problem at hand. Implications remain in each of the aforementioned methods of alleviating suffering in Venezuela. Stronger economic sanctions will further worsen Venezuela before it betters it, external military intervention will solidify fears of imperialism, and collective action by the international community has proven to be disorganized. This paper draws parallels to many of the sources cited within it, in that humanitarian aid is of dire need until long-term actions are taken to reform Venezuela’s economy.