A Comparative Study of the Impact of the Fourth Republic and the Bolivarian Governments on the Crime Rate in Venezuela

Document Type : علمی وپزوهشی

Authors

1 Assistant Professor at Faculty of World Studies, University of Tehran

2 Latin American Studies Department, Faculty of World Studies, University of Tehran

10.22059/jsr.2025.375940.1976

Abstract

Crime in Venezuela is a serious and complex issue that has significantly impacted the country's society over the past few decades. Despite numerous efforts to improve the situation, the escalation of crime in recent years has severely undermined the country's stability. Due to the importance of the Bolivarian Revolution in shaping Venezuela's political landscape and the critical state of crime in the nation, this research aims to investigate the impact of the Bolivarian Revolution on crime levels in Venezuela by comparing the performance of the Chavista governments with those of the Fourth Republic. To achieve this, the study analyzes statistical data through the lens of anomie theory and employs qualitative analysis, focusing on socio-economic variables such as the homicide rate, unemployment rate, poverty index, human development index, and public mistrust in institutions, etc. The findings indicate that, despite the efforts made by both the Fourth Republic and Chavista governments, neither administration has effectively mitigated the crime problem. This persistent issue stems from deeper underlying factors, including economic crises, high dependence on oil, political instability, and a lack of public trust in government institutions and judicial processes. Furthermore, the complexity of the relationship between government policies and crime suggests that the increase in crime in Venezuela cannot be attributed solely to the policies and practices of the Chavista governments; rather, it must be examined within the context of long-standing structural problems that preceded them.

Keywords

References

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Sociological Review
Volume 32, Issue 1
July 2025
Pages 7-57

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