Socio-political dynamics of community governments in Venezuela

Abstract

In Venezuela, an unprecedented, unprecedented process of popular participation has been taking place. Constitutionally, organized communities have been given prominence to actively participate in decision-making and directly address community problems. To this end, a vast regulatory framework has been promulgated aimed at giving body to this leading process in the country. Based on these premises, a bibliographic search was developed focused on preparing a brief bibliographic compilation of the main theoretical ideas on the current sociopolitical dynamics present in the community governments of Venezuela, within the current institutional framework in the country. As main results, critical obstacles to consolidate this participatory process stand out. The literature highlights failures and errors of a political-clientelistic type, by transforming community councils into arms of political parties, leaving aside the construction of a social and political project in accordance with the mandate of the Constitution. In this way, the aspirations, needs and definitions of grassroots social organizations are not met. On the contrary, the reproduction of old anachronistic practices of political control is promoted, which are faced with the desire for a radical transformation of the mechanisms of communication and participation between the State and organized citizens.