ABSTRACT
This chapter analyzes the political, economic, and social record of the Hugo Chavez and Nicolas Maduro administrations over the course of nearly two decades. It shows that Chavismo's record is uneven and contradictory. The chapter traces Chavismo's evolution across three phases. Chavismo's initial phase, lasting from 1999 to 2003, was marked by middling economic performance, limited social gains, and escalating political conflict, which led to Chavez's subsequent radicalization. Chavismo's balance sheet during its "golden age" is mixed, but more positive than negative, supporting the idea that this period marked Chavismo's apex in terms of facilitating popular-sector empowerment and well-being. The chapter offers neither interpretation fully captures Chavismo's social, political, and economic record across its nearly two decades as Venezuela's leading political force. The 2004—2013 period constitutes Chavismo's golden age. In contrast to the previous and, especially, subsequent periods, Venezuela's economic record was quite positive during these years.
