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What’s going in Venezuela ?

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 :

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What’s going in Venezuela ?

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  1. What’s going in Venezuela?

  2. Learning Outcomes -Understanding how geographical situation affect development -The ability to have an intelligent conversation over Spring Break

  3. 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.

  4. 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?

  5. Structuralist Theory • Structuralist 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.

  6. Dollarization… • Dollarization: • When other countries tie their money into a wealthy countries economy • May switch over completely to the dollar • May tie the value of their currency into the dollar. • Dollarization furthers dependence on a foreign power.

  7. (Debatably) Our Friend Hugo Chavez… • President of Venezuela 1999-2013 (died). • Lot’s of love or hate for the guy. • Communist • Famed 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

  8. 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.

  9. No to Neo-Colonialism • 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. No.

  10. …and then Chavez Died • President Nicolas Maduro • Political Successor to Chavez • Hand Chosen By Chavez • Won election by NARROW margin • Was member of government when ran for office • Remember: Government controlled media • Inherited some significant problems • Rising inflation • Economy ENTIRELY dependent on price of oil

  11. The last Week in Venezuela • Protests began by students • Wanting: 1) More Security, 2) More Goods, & 3) Freedom of speech • 3 Students Killed By Pro-Government • Anti-Government Group • Pushing for President to Resign

  12. This week Cont. • Current President Nicolas Maduro • Blames U.S. for inciting rebellion • U.S. Diplomats were kicked out as a result • The “Oppossition” to Maduro • Biggest name: Leopoldo Lopez • Encouraging Protests • Government has tried to arrest • We will have to see how it unfolds….

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