Abstract

MUJICA CHIRINOS, Norbis  and  RINCON GONZALEZ, Sorayda. Characterizing the Social and Economic Polices of the Current Venezuelan Administration: 1999-2004. Revista Venezolana de Economía y Ciencias Sociales [online]. 2006, vol.12, n.1, pp.31-57. ISSN 20030507.

The aim of this article is to characterize the different moments social policy has experienced and their relationship to economic policy during the Chavez administration (1999-2004). In order to do so, the contents of key official documents are analyzed and are contrasted with the policies as implemented and reflected in the statistical information available and in the press. Four different moments are identified: the first one, “From Open Neoliberalism to Silent Adjustment”; the second, “Principles and Contradictions”; the third, “Ruptures and Conspiracies”; and, finally, “One Step Back”. The conclusions suggest that each of these moments there are evident contradictions and incoherencies between the official discourse and the effective social and economic policies, which are best understood in terms of a fluctuating tendency towards or away from neoliberal formulas.

Keywords : Venezuela; Public Policies; Social Policy; Economic Policy.