Tulane University

On Friday, December 3rd, CIPR was pleased to host a symposium about Venezuela’s December 6th elections. Three esteemed Venezuela scholars participated in the event: Dr. Steve Ellner, a visiting professor and research fellow at CIPR, who has taught economic history and political science at the Universidad de Oriente in Venezuela since 1977; Dr. Francisco J. Monaldi, a professor of political economy at Rice Unviersity and a leading scholar in the politics and economics of the oil industry; and Dr. David Smilde, the Charles A. and Leo M. Favrot Professor of Human Relations at Tulane and a leading scholar of Venezuelan politics.

The scholars discussed current polling trends, electoral observations, and possible outcomes for the December 6th elections, in which the socialist government of Nicolas Maduro and late-President Hugo Chavez was at risk to lose its legislative majority for the first time in almost two decades.

Dr. Ellner’s talk focused on the economic issues that have plagued Venezuela in recent years, as well as the accusations of fraud and corruption in the electoral process. Dr. Monaldi analyzed current polling trends in Venezuela and the potential electoral outcomes. Dr. Smilde discussed the relative strengths and weaknesses of Venezuela’s electoral process and how they could impact the results.
All three scholars offered valuable insights into the Venezuelan elections. CIPR thanks Dr. Ellner, Dr. Monaldi, and Dr. Smilde for their participation in the symposium.