Hugo chavez

Hugo Chavez
Hugo Chavez has become a controversial figure at home and abroad. Chavez is a vocal critic of the United States of America, and especially of former President George W. Bush, who he once famously and publicly called a “donkey.” Chavez's friendly relations with Russia and Iran have been a cause of tension between Venezuela and the United States.Under his national policies, Chavez hasinstituted what he calls a “Bolivarian Revolution” in Venezuela, where key industries have been nationalized and oil revenues are used in social programs for the poor. Although his policies are not to the appeal of everyone, a majority say he speaks for the poor, while others say he has become increasingly autocratic, it is hard not to consider him a strong leader. With knowledge of history,charisma, and a strong start, among other things, he has been able to captivate the hearts of many Venezuelans that still currently support him.
Knowledge of history
In order for one to write about Hugo Chavez, they must start by telling the reader about Chavez’s biggest influence, Simon Bolivar. As Machiavelli pointed out great leaders know about history; according to him it is the best way tolearn how to become a stronger leader. Machiavelli himself uses many references about past rulers. Machiavelli explains his logic through a combination of historical arguments and argues that the rules he offers in The Prince are consistent with historical evidence.
Simon Bolivar led Peru, Panama, Colombia, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Venezuela to independence from Spain. Bolivar was inspired by theEnlightenment era and the American and the French Revolution. And while he was an admirer of the United States, he did not believe that its system could function in Latin America. Bolívar felt that the United States was established in a land that was much better suited for democracy, a land and people that could survive in a much looser, more liberal government. In terms of South America however,Bolivar tried to establish The Bolivian Constitution. Under the Bolivian Constitution there was lifelong presidency and a hereditary senate, which essentially recreated the British unwritten constitution of the time without formally establishing a monarchy. It was this idea that ultimately led to his downfall and rejection by 1830. Many of Simon Bolivar’s ideas are revived with Hugo Chavez.
Chavezmuch like Bolivar believes in the liberation of Latin America from western forces. Chavez with institutions like the Bank of the South which ultimate goal of is to include every state within the region of South America. It was established because of disapproval in the protocol of the World Bank and IMF, in particular the enforcement of unrelated free market reforms on countries seeking emergencyloans. It also represents an attempt to achieve regional independence and endogenous development. The program would lend money to any nation involved in the construction of approved programs, and without conditions traditionally attached to such loans.
How Chavez used charisma to get to power
Machiavelli defines virtues as qualities that are praised by others, such as charisma, generosity,compassion, and piety. He argues that a prince should always try to appear virtuous. Chavez used his charismatic personality to get into power. At the beginning of the century huge oil fields were discovered in Venezuela making it the third largest oil producer in the world. However, only a few controlled 70% of the oil revenue and benefited from such event. In 1982 the oil prices suddenly dropped andhuge amounts of capital fled the country. Carlos Andres Perez, the president at the time, instituted an economic package which included the elimination of the gas subsidies, which had long maintained domestic petrol prices far beneath their international levels. Upon the elimination of the subsidy, petrol prices rose by as much 100%, and subsequently, the costs of public transportation rose by...