Description
Book SynopsisIn 1935 Venezuela consolidated its position as the world's major oil exporter, establishing South America's longest-lasting democratic regime. This text examines key transformations in Venezuela's polity, culture and economy, recasting theories of development for other postcolonial nations.
Table of ContentsList of Illustrations Preface Introduction: The Magical State and Occidentalism Pt. I: Premiere - The Nature of the Nation: State Fetishism and Nationalism 1: History's Nature 2: The Nation's Two Bodies Pt. II: Debut - Venezuelan Counterpoint: Dictatorship and Democracy 3: The Eighteenth Brumaire of Dictatorship 4: Constructing the Nation; The Nation as a Construct 5: The Twenty-third of January of Democracy Pt. III: Revival - The Petrostate and the Sowing of Oil 6: The Motors Wars: The Engines of Progress 7: Mirages of El Dorado: The Death of a Tractor Factory 8: The Devil's Excrement: Criminality and Sociality Pt. IV: Sequel - Black Gold: Money Fetishism and Modernity 9: Harvesting the Oil: The Storm of Progress 10: Beyond Occidentalism: A Subaltern Modernity References Index