Bolivarian Circles
Encyclopedia
The Bolivarian Circles are a loosely-knit political and social organization of workers' councils in Venezuela
originally begun by President Hugo Chávez
in 2001. They are named in honor of Simón Bolívar
, the leader who transformed most of South America from Spanish colonial
outposts to the independent states now in place. Their significance to Venezuelan politics has trailed off significantly since 2003, as most circles have effectively disbanded. Since then the government has sponsored the creation of Community Planning Councils, which evolved into the Communal Councils
that are now considered the base of the participatory democracy
.
and participatory democracy
. The circles themselves were purportedly decentralized, made autonomous from any central government oversight, and instead organized on the neighborhood and block level. In 2001, however, Chávez authorized then-Vice President Diosdado Cabello
to financially support them, which makes Chávez's opponents skeptical of any claims of autonomy.
Prior to 2003 the circles took part in various protests against the political opposition. In January 2002 Bolivarian Circles were reported to have blocked the entrance of the newspaper office El Nacional for over an hour. Numerous journalists have been threatened, berated, and abused physically and verbally, particularly by people that identified with the Bolivarian Circles. Bolivian Circles also took part in demonstrations which partly became violent against the 2002 coup attempt.
where they are mainly established and managed by the FARC-EP.
scholars, the "Bolivarian circles" also help the government identify opponents, who are then denied services.
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
originally begun by President Hugo Chávez
Hugo Chávez
Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías is the 56th and current President of Venezuela, having held that position since 1999. He was formerly the leader of the Fifth Republic Movement political party from its foundation in 1997 until 2007, when he became the leader of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela...
in 2001. They are named in honor of Simón Bolívar
Simón Bolívar
Simón José Antonio de la Santísima Trinidad Bolívar y Palacios Ponte y Yeiter, commonly known as Simón Bolívar was a Venezuelan military and political leader...
, the leader who transformed most of South America from Spanish colonial
Colonialism
Colonialism is the establishment, maintenance, acquisition and expansion of colonies in one territory by people from another territory. It is a process whereby the metropole claims sovereignty over the colony and the social structure, government, and economics of the colony are changed by...
outposts to the independent states now in place. Their significance to Venezuelan politics has trailed off significantly since 2003, as most circles have effectively disbanded. Since then the government has sponsored the creation of Community Planning Councils, which evolved into the Communal Councils
Venezuelan Communal Councils
In April 2006 the Venezuelan government passed The Law of Communal Councils which empowers local citizens to form neighbourhood-based elected councils that initiate and oversee local policies and projects towards community development...
that are now considered the base of the participatory democracy
Participatory democracy
Participatory Democracy, also known as Deliberative Democracy, Direct Democracy and Real Democracy , is a process where political decisions are made directly by regular people...
.
Internal structure
Chávez organized these circles, which he cites as examples of grassrootsGrassroots
A grassroots movement is one driven by the politics of a community. The term implies that the creation of the movement and the group supporting it are natural and spontaneous, highlighting the differences between this and a movement that is orchestrated by traditional power structures...
and participatory democracy
Participatory democracy
Participatory Democracy, also known as Deliberative Democracy, Direct Democracy and Real Democracy , is a process where political decisions are made directly by regular people...
. The circles themselves were purportedly decentralized, made autonomous from any central government oversight, and instead organized on the neighborhood and block level. In 2001, however, Chávez authorized then-Vice President Diosdado Cabello
Diosdado Cabello
Diosdado Cabello Rondón is a Venezuelan politician. A former member of the armed forces, he was involved in Hugo Chávez's February 1992 Venezuelan coup d'état attempt. He became a leading member of Chavez's Movimiento V República , and remains a leading member of the United Socialist Party of...
to financially support them, which makes Chávez's opponents skeptical of any claims of autonomy.
Work
Improvement projects undertaken by Bolivarian Circles include health, public transportation, and urban clean-ups.Prior to 2003 the circles took part in various protests against the political opposition. In January 2002 Bolivarian Circles were reported to have blocked the entrance of the newspaper office El Nacional for over an hour. Numerous journalists have been threatened, berated, and abused physically and verbally, particularly by people that identified with the Bolivarian Circles. Bolivian Circles also took part in demonstrations which partly became violent against the 2002 coup attempt.
Bolivarian Circles beyond Venezuela
Pro-Chávez Bolivarian circles are not exclusive to Venezuela—similar circles of supporters remain widespread in Europe, North America and Australia.Oath
In 2001, Chávez swore in all official Bolivarian Circles at the first national reunion under the following oath:I swear in front of you [Chávez], for the God of my parents; I swear for them. I swear for my honor and for my motherland that I will not rest my arms nor my soul until we have broken, finally, the chains that oppress Venezuela as an inheritance of the powerful who destroyed the motherland. I swear that I will completely dedicate my work to the bolivarian ideology, to the popular organization, to popular mobilization, to popular power, to never abandon the struggle; every day and every night that I have left with the bolivarian circles in the bolivarian web, in the bolivarian current, in the bolivarian forces and in the Revolutionary Bolivarian Movement 200 that today is born again after 19 years, by the will of the Venezuelan people. I swear that I will fight without rest for the defense of the revolution, even if I have to sacrifice my life, for the glory of Venezuela. I swear that we will consolidate forever the bolivarian revolution and the motherland of our children. I swear. |
Bolivarian Youth
The Bolivarian Youth is a revolutionary anti-capitalist youth organization inspired by the Bolivarian Revolution in Venezuela. The Bolivarian Youth was founded in Miami by young socialists with the aim of defending the revolutionary process in Latin America and spread the cause of socialism in the United States. Its main purpose is to educate and mobilize revolutionary minded young people. Just like the circles the Bolivarian Youth movement has grown widespread in South and North America, Europe and Australia. These groups are usually born from local Bolivarian Circles except in ColombiaColombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
where they are mainly established and managed by the FARC-EP.
Criticism
According to a study by Brigham Young UniversityBrigham Young University
Brigham Young University is a private university located in Provo, Utah. It is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , and is the United States' largest religious university and third-largest private university.Approximately 98% of the university's 34,000 students...
scholars, the "Bolivarian circles" also help the government identify opponents, who are then denied services.
See also
- Revolución Bolivariana
- Venezuelan Communal CouncilsVenezuelan Communal CouncilsIn April 2006 the Venezuelan government passed The Law of Communal Councils which empowers local citizens to form neighbourhood-based elected councils that initiate and oversee local policies and projects towards community development...
External links
- http://www.zmag.org/content/showarticle.cfm?SectionID=45&ItemID=3971
- http://www.cybercircle.org