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Social Policy in Venezuela: Bucking Neoliberalism or Unsustainable Clientelism?

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Towards Universal Health Care in Emerging Economies

Part of the book series: Social Policy in a Development Context ((SPDC))

Abstract

Following an overview of social protection policies in Latin America, this chapter considers the specific case of Venezuela with a focus on the presidency of Hugo Chávez (1998–2013). After analysing the ideological, political and economic drivers of the social protection system introduced by the government, the chapter highlights continuity with a domestic tradition of financing social protection with volatile oil export revenues. Through detailed reference to health policy, it is argued that the achievements were significant, particularly given the national crisis inherited by Chávez, but that welfare initiatives were unsustainable without major institutional and economic policy change.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Esping-Andersen (1999a, b), Cereseto and Waitzkin (1986), Stephens (1979), Pampel and Williamson (1989).

  2. 2.

    Alesina and Rodrik (1994), ECLAC (2002), UNDP (2004).

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ilkley, UK

    Julia Buxton

Authors
  1. Julia Buxton
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. UNRISD, Geneva, Switzerland

    Ilcheong Yi

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© 2017 United Nations Research Institute for Social Development

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Buxton, J. (2017). Social Policy in Venezuela: Bucking Neoliberalism or Unsustainable Clientelism?. In: Yi, I. (eds) Towards Universal Health Care in Emerging Economies. Social Policy in a Development Context. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-53377-7_13

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-53377-7_13

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  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-137-53376-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-137-53377-7

  • eBook Packages: Economics and FinanceEconomics and Finance (R0)

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