Monday, November 16, 2009

 

Gallup Poll Finds ‘Chavismo’ Losing Steam in Venezuela

 

By Steve Crabtree

 

·   Venezuelans increasingly resistant to defining themselves as socialist or capitalist

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Hugo Chavez's popularity among Venezuelans has waned in recent years. Less than half of Venezuelans (47%) in August 2009 said they approved of Chavez' job performance — down from 61% in late 2006 when he was elected to a second six-year term.

 

Through more than a decade in power, Chavez has managed to continually style himself as a populist "revolutionary" leading poor Venezuelans in a struggle against powerful capitalist elites. His success in that regard is reflected in Venezuelans' responses to a recent Gallup survey — this year, 52% said the country is headed toward a socialist revolution, though this is down from 60% in 2008.

 

However, whether Venezuelans endorse such a revolution is a different question….

 

For the complete Gallup article, graphs and data please link to "'Chavismo' Losing Steam in Venezuela"; excerpt reprinted with permission.