Resumen

BANKO, Catalina. From Decentralization to the “New Geometry of Power”. Revista Venezolana de Economía y Ciencias Sociales [online]. 2008, vol.14, n.2, pp.165-181. ISSN 20030507.

The article offers an interpretation of the political dynamics developing in current Venezuelan situation, starting from the process of decentralization initiated two decades ago and then examining the evolution of this experience up coming to the process of recentralization during Hugo Chávez Frías management. Also it is an analysis of the attempt of Reform of the Constitution to implement the “socialismo del siglo XXI” (Socialism of the 21st Century), which imply an offer of territorial reorganization according to the guidelines of the “Nueva geometría del poder” (New Geometry of Power). This project was submitted to a popular referendum on December 2^nd, 2007, in which the majority of the voters chose to reject the raised changes.

Palabras clave : Venezuela; Decentralization; Constitutional Reform; Chavism; Socialist Project.