THE RISE AND FALL OF VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT CARLOS ANDRÉS PÉREZ: An Historical Examination Volume 2: The Later Years 1973-2004

“This study is a fascinating work on former President Perez. It is primarily about his second administration covering 1988–1993. They analyze various aspects of his personality and examine and explain how this has impacted his administration. This is a second volume consisting of five chapters excluding introduction and conclusions. Although it is a short volume, the work is thorough, comprehensive, compact and in-depth … This is a very fascinating and objectively written work. It is an excellent addition to literature on Venezuela. It is lucidly written so that both scholars and general readers can gain a comprehensive view of Venezuelan politics. In many ways, Venezuela represents third world countries in general and Latin American countries in particular. To understand current politics and political instability gripping Venezuela under President Chavez, one has to understand the country's past. This work provides that opportunity. The work also provides an excellent chronology, an extensive bibliography for ready reference for further study. In a unique way, the authors combine the approaches of political scientist and historian in the examination of Perez's administration and his personality.” – Rathnam Indurthy, Ph.D., Professor of Government, McNeese University

“H. Micheal Tarver's new collection of essays on the career of Carlos Andres Perez are an important addition to the historical literature about Venezuela and especially on the political evolution of this Latin American republic. Indeed, much of the turmoil found recently in Venezuela is an outgrowth of Perez's two presidential terms. These essays convincingly show that while he was a very adept molder of public opinion (at least at the beginning of his presidential terms), he was not a very able administrator. Perez consistently promised the Venezuelan people that be was the man to lead the country into a new age of prosperity but he fell short in fulfilling these ambitions in both of his presidential terms. Yet as these essays adeptly show Perez did oversee, particularly in his first term, a restructuring of the Venezuelan economy and attempts to make state bureaucracies (and the associated bureaucrats) more efficient and flexible toward the needs of the Venezuelan people. This skillfully authored volume also notes Perez's actions with regard to the persistent problem of poverty (especially in the countryside) and how he utilized state power to alleviate the situation through government employment (primarily in nationalized industries) … this new volume on Perez is essential reading to understand Venezuela's recent political evolution and adeptly suggests some of the reasons for the turmoil found there. Perez clearly had a remarkable influence on the political culture of Venezuela which will endure for a long time to come. No understanding of contemporary Venezuela consequently can be achieved without reading and contemplating these essays.” – John S.Leiby, Ph.D., Paradise Community College

List of Illustrations
Introduction
1. The Political Benefits of Economic Nationalism, 1974-1979 by H. Micheal Tarver
2. The Political Dangers of Neo-Liberalism, 1988-1993 by Luis Caraballo Vivas
3. Carlos Andres Perez and Corruption by H. Micheal Tarver and Luis Caraballo Vivas
4. Carlos Andres Perez: The One, The Other, The Same by Alfredo Angulo Rivas
5. Carlos Andres Perez: One Man, One Party, One Nation by Luis Loaiza Rincon
Conclusions
Time-Line
Bibliography
Index

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