Bolivarian Circles
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The Bolivarian Circles are a 2.3 million member, loosely-knit political and social organization of workers' councils in Venezuela originally begun by President Hugo Chávez. They are named in honor of Simón Bolívar, the leader who transformed most of South America from Spanish colonial outposts to the independent states now in place.
Because his Bolivarianism relies on popular support, Chávez organized these circles, which he cites as examples of grassroots and participatory democracy. In 2000, Chávez authorized then-Vice President Diosdado Cabello to financially support such circles. The circles themselves were purportedly decentralized, made autonomous from any central government oversight, and instead organized on the neighborhood and block level. Chávez's opponents, however, are skeptical of the purported autonomy of the "Bolivarian Circles" from the government.Morsbach, Greg. (BBC, 12 Jun 2002). ["Chavez accused of fostering militia links"]. Retrieved 13 Jun 2006. The circles were charged with such tasks as neighborhood beautification, mass mobilization, lending support to small businesses, and providing basic social services.Sanchez, Alvaro ("Venezuela Analysis," 30 Sep 2003). ["Bolivarian Circles: A Grassroots Movement"]. Retrieved 14 Nov 2005. The circles reached a peak membership of 2.2 million in July 2003 and were instrumental in, among other things, urging voter approval of the 1999 Constitution and foiling the 2002 coup attempt with mass grassroots mobilization for pro-Chávez demonstrations.Morsbach, Greg. (BBC, 12 Jun 2002). ["Chavez accused of fostering militia links"]. Retrieved 13 Jun 2006.Burke, Tom and Rodrigo Chaves. (Z Communications, 30 Jul 2003). ["The Bolivarian Circles"]. Retrieved 14 Nov 2005. However, their significance to Venezuelan politics has trailed off significantly since 2003, as most circles have effectively disbanded. Pro-Chávez Bolivarian circles are not exclusive to Venezuela—similar circles of supporters remain widespread in, for example, Germany, Austria, and France (where circles exist in Vienna, Tübingen, Bielefeld, and Paris). Circles are also found in the U.S., Australia, Canada, and several other nations.
The circles are neighbourhood groups charged with the reorganizing of Venezuelan society from the grassroots, and pushing forward the Venezuelan revolution. These workers' councils began as very dependent on the Chávez government and its bureaucracy--President Chávez originally selected candidates from which the circles were to choose leaders. Critics accuse the circles of furthering violenceMorsbach, Greg. (BBC, 12 Jun 2002). ["Chavez accused of fostering militia links".] Retrieved 13 Jun 2006., while Chávez supporters say they are neighborhood associations, promoting and facilitating literacy classes and helping run local health clinics. According to a study by Brigham Young University scholars, the "Bolivarian circles" also help the government identify opponents, who are then denied services.Davis, Bob. "Move Over, Che: Chavez Is New Icon of Radical Chic." Wall Street Journal (Eastern edition). New York, N.Y.: Jun 16, 2006. p. A1.
In 2001, Chávez sworn all official Bolivarian Circles at the first national reunion under the following oath:
I swear in front of you(Chávez), for the God of my parents; I swear for them. I swear for my honor and for my motherland that I will not rest my arms nor my soul unti we have broken, finally, the chains that opress Venezuela as an inheritance of the powerful who destryed the motherland. I swear that I will completely dedicate my work to the bolivarian ideology, to the popular organization, to popular movilization, to popular power, to never rabandon the struggle; every day and every night that I have left with the bolivarian circles in the bolivarian web, in the bolivarian current, in the bolivarian forces and in the Revolutionary Bolivarian Movement 200 that today is born again after 19 years, by the will of the Venezuelan people. I swear that I wil fight without rest for the defense of the revolution, even if I have to sacrifice my life, for the glory of Venezuela. I swear that we will consolidate forever the bolivarian revolution y the motherland of our children. I swear.[link] However, spontaneous acts of defiance, such as walking out and electing their own candidates, have gained them an independence that has made them into a powerful social force on par with the soviets (workers' councils) in pre-revolutionary Russia. They are generally seen as the most revolutionary wing of Venezuelan society, carrying out factory occupations and taking large estates, and fighting against bureaucrats who are on the more reformist wing of society. As a signal of that role perhaps, one of the slogans that have come out of these councils has been "the revolution, with or without Chávez". Indicating that their aspirations for socialism, and in some cases even communism, are not something to be sacrificed for charismatic politicians.
Increasingly however, it seems Chávez is not challenging these positions that were further to the left than his, but in fact adopting some of the ideas of these councils himself, such as his announcement that socialism is the only way forward, or his nationalization of Venepal.
Venezuelans who oppose Chávez allege that the circles are dangerous organizations who could potentially carry out terrorist acts.
See also
Notes
External links
- [Official page of the Bolivarian Circles]
- http://www.handsoffvenezuela.org/
- http://www.zmag.org/content/showarticle.cfm?SectionID=45&ItemID=3971
- http://www.cybercircle.org
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