Steven Ellner and Miguel Tinker Salas (eds.), Venezuela. Hugo Chavez and the Decline of an ‘Exceptional Democracy’ (Lanham, MD: Rowan and Littlefield, 2007) pp. xvi+220, £45.00, £15.99, pb; €70.88, €25.18, pb.
has acknowledged the presence and significance of varied and even contradictory aspects of social life such as values, charisma, tradition and rationality. For Weber, not even the very nature of capitalism could be fully grasped without considering religion. Contemporary theories in gender studies, cultural studies, cultural sociology and post-colonial studies, many of which are inspired by Marx, all emphasize the intersection and inseparability of power and culture. Had Blofield not only looked at polls, but done some gender-sensitive qualitative research, she would have found other power structures besides socio-economic inequality operating in this particular policy field. Still, in spite of its shortcomings, the book provides valuable empirical information and insights about the political and institutional particularities of each country. Moreover, the comparative nature of the study and the analysis of the interplay between local and international actors (from the Vatican and the international religious right to the liberal institutions and domestic feminists) make the book appealing not only to those interested in the specific issues of divorce and abortion, but also to a wider public.