Chavismo

Not to be confused with Chauvinism

Chavismo is the progressive political ideology of former Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez and his successor, Nicolás Maduro. A form of left-wing populism, it combines ideas of democratic socialism, socialist patriotism, Bolivarianism, and Latin American integration. Policies include nationalization, social welfare, and opposition to imperialism and neoliberalism.

Chavismo is not against private property, but seeks to promote collective ownership. It has been criticized by some socialists, communists and Marxists as a form of state capitalism, owing to the country's large private sector (70% of Venezuela's GDP was created by the private sector, as of 2009). Followers or adherents of Chavismo are known as Chavistas or Chavists.

Origins

Chavismo is based on the teachings of Simón Bolívar, Simón Rodríguez, and Ezequiel Zamora. Bolívar fought for the sovereignty of Latin America, Zamora fought for the peasantry against the aristocratic ruling class, and Rodríguez developed educational theories based on equality and originality.