Variety of Electoral Vehicles in the Venezuelan Opposition

• In Event: Partidos políticos, subtipos disminuidos y democracia en América Latina (parte I)

Abstract

Since Hugo Chávez came to power in 1998, politics in Venezuela has coalesced around two key forces: those who support the government (chavismo) and those who oppose it (anti-chavismo). Myriad electoral vehicles constitute the latter camp. Some of these are new, while others are old. Some are nationalized and engage in strategies of horizontal and vertical coordination. Others struggle to exist outside of their local stronghold and operate only during elections.
What can explain the broad variety of electoral alternatives in the Venezuelan opposition? Many of these parties emerged in the aftermath of Chávez’s first election to office. They faced similar incentive structures regarding organization and comparable challenges vis-à-vis the increasingly authoritarian regime.
The paper undertakes two tasks. First, it conceptualizes and classifies the multiple electoral vehicles that help constitute the opposition to Chávez today. It focuses, in particular on four of its most prominent: Acción Democrática; Un Nuevo Tiempo; Primero Justicia; and Voluntad Popular. Despite their prominence, these four parties operate quite differently in practice. They also vary in terms of their electoral viability. It analyzes these parties to underscore the variety of party types that have proliferated in Venezuela today. Second, it utilizes interviews and secondary data to explain why we see such a wide variety of electoral vehicles in the country and speculates about whether their organizational form affects their electoral strength within the larger opposition movement. In so doing, this paper helps contribute to the literature on party formation and adaptation.

Author

• Jennifer M Cyr, University of Arizona