EVENT DETAILS

Tomás Straka: From the "War of Colors" to Bolivarian Socialism: the idea of democracy in Venezuela

Egalitarianism has been one of the most important ideals throughout the history of Venezuela. This started in the context of the momentous racial and social conflicts of the late-colonial era, over 200 years ago. Egalitarianism has manifested in multiple ways. The so-called "War of Col- ors" (Guerra de los Colores) during the times of independ- ence produced important challenges to the new republic. In response, the idea of "democracy" as "equality" material- ized. While this idea has changed over the years, it is pos- sible to identify it even today in the political values and dis- courses in Venezuela.

Tomas Straka is Professor of History at University Andrés Bello, Caracas, Venezuela. He is the author of multiple pub- lications, such as La voz de los vencidos, ideas del partido realista de Caracas (1810–1821), Hechos y gente, Historia contemporánea de Venezuela (Textbook about Venezuelan contemporary history), and Las Independencias de Iberoa- mérica (coedited with Agustín Sánchez Andrés and Michael Zeuske).

*The talk will be conducted in Spanish.