group of contributors focuses on the everyday lives of Venezuelans, examining the forms of participation that have emerged in communal councils, cultural activities, blogs, community media, and several other forums. The essays validate many of the critiques of democracy under Chávez, as well as much of the praise. They show that while government corporatism and clientelism are constant threats, the forms of political and cultural participation discussed are creating new discourses, networks, and organizational spaces—for better and for worse. With open yet critical minds, the contributors seek to analyze Venezuela’s Bolivarian democratic experience through empirical research. In doing so, they reveal a nuanced process, a richer and more complex one than is conveyed in international journalism and scholarship exclusively focused on the words and actions of Hugo Chávez.ContributorsCarolina Acosta-AlzuruJulia BuxtonLuis Duno GottbergSujatha FernandesMaría Pilar García-GuadillaKirk A. HawkinsDaniel HellingerMichael E. JohnsonLuis E. LanderMargarita López-MayaElizabeth Gackstetter NicholsCoraly PaganGuillermo RosasNaomi SchillerDavid SmildeAlejandro Velasco

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