The breakdown of the old party system in Venezuela and the sudden rise to
power of leftist former coup leader Hugo Chavez in the 1990s has received a
great deal of attention. However, little empirical research exists on the
impact of this realignment on the structure of party competition. This paper
analyses different models of voting behaviour over time, and examines the
extent to which the determinants of electoral choice have changed. In doing
so it considers two rather different approaches to the study of party system
change and the politicisation of social cleavages: the first, which can be
described as ‘bottom-up’, emphasises social changes within the electorate.
The second, which can be described as ‘top-down’ emphasises the role of
political agency and the role political parties and leaders play in
reshaping and re-crafting political identities.
Presented by:
Oliver Heath (Government Department, University of Essex)
Date & time:
February 7, 2007 1:00 pm - February 7, 2007 12:00 am
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