Venezuela Quote by Daron Acemoğlu
““It is not that Argentinians are just naïve and think that Juan Perón or the more recent Perónist politicians such as Menem or the Kirchners are selfless and looking out for their interests, or that Venezuelans see their salvation in Chávez. Instead, many Argentinians and Venezuelans recognize that all other politicians and parties have for so long failed to give them voice, to provide them with the most basic public services, such as roads and education, and to protect them from exploitation by local elites. So many Venezuelans today support the policies that Chávez is adopting even if these come with corruption and waste in the same way that many Argentinians supported Perón’s policies in the 1940s and 1970s.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Interview on Latin American politics, 2020
People support leaders who provide basic services and a voice, even if those leaders are imperfect.
In simple terms: People back leaders who give them services and a voice, despite flaws.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the role of service provision in political support.
Themes
political support
populism
public services
leadership legitimacy
social contract
Mood
hopeful
critical
Type
analytical
political
When to use this quote
- voting behavior
- community organizing
- policy advocacy
- civil society engagement
Key Concepts
clientelism
state capacity
elite exploitation
political identity
historical memory
Questions to Reflect On
- What alternatives could replace these leaders?
- How does service provision shape loyalty?
A Different Perspective
Support may persist despite corruption if alternatives are absent.
![“We have the ability to take him [President of Venezuela, Hugo Chavez] out, and I think the time has come that we exercise that ability. We don't need another $200 billion war to get rid of one, you know, strong-arm dictator. It's a whole lot easier to have some of the covert operatives do the job…” quote by Pat Robertson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/194/pat-robertson-1972_ability_we-have-the-ability-to-take-him-presiden_23256.jpg)
