Dragon In The Tropics

Author : Javier Corrales,Michael Penfold
Publisher : Rowman & Littlefield
Page : 209 pages
File Size : 41,6 Mb
Release : 2011-02-01
Category : Political Science
ISBN : 9780815705024

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Dragon in the Tropics by Javier Corrales,Michael Penfold Pdf

Since he was first elected in 1999, Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez Frías has reshaped a frail but nonetheless pluralistic democracy into a semi-authoritarian regime—an outcome achieved with spectacularly high oil income and widespread electoral support. This eye-opening book illuminates one of the most sweeping and unexpected political transformations in contemporary Latin America. Based on more than fifteen years' experience in researching and writing about Venezuela, Javier Corrales and Michael Penfold have crafted a comprehensive account of how the Chávez regime has revamped the nation, with a particular focus on its political transformation. Throughout, they take issue with conventional explanations. First, they argue persuasively that liberal democracy as an institution was not to blame for the rise of chavismo. Second, they assert that the nation's economic ailments were not caused by neoliberalism. Instead they blame other factors, including a dependence on oil, which caused macroeconomic volatility; political party fragmentation, which triggered infighting; government mismanagement of the banking crisis, which led to more centralization of power; and the Asian crisis of 1997, which devastated Venezuela's economy at the same time that Chávez ran for president. It is perhaps on the role of oil that the authors take greatest issue with prevailing opinion. They do not dispute that dependence on oil can generate political and economic distortions—the "resource curse" or "paradox of plenty" arguments—but they counter that oil alone fails to explain Chávez's rise. Instead they single out a weak framework of checks and balances that allowed the executive branch to extract oil rents and distribute them to the populace. The real culprit behind Chávez's success, they write, was the asymmetry of political power.

Author : Javier Corrales,Michael Penfold
Publisher : Brookings Institution Press
Page : 272 pages
File Size : 46,9 Mb
Release : 2015-02-25
Category : History
ISBN : 9780815725947

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Dragon in the Tropics by Javier Corrales,Michael Penfold Pdf

"This new and expanded edition of Dragon in the Tropics—the widely acclaimed account of how president Hugo Chávez (1999–2013) revamped Venezuela’s political economy—examines the electoral decline of Chavismo after Chavez’s death and the policies adopted by his successor, Nicolás Maduro, to cope with the economic chaos inherited from previous radical populist policies. Corrales and Penfold argue that Maduro has had to struggle with the inherent contradictions of a large and heterogeneous social coalition, a declining oil sector, the strength of entrenched military interests, and fewer resources to appease international allies, which have strenghtened the autocratic features of an already consolidated hybrid regime. In examining the new political realities of Venezuela, the authors offer lessons on the dynamics of succession in hybrid regimes. This book is a must-read for scholars and analysts of Latin America. "

Author : Marie Brennan
Publisher : Tor Books
Page : 332 pages
File Size : 54,6 Mb
Release : 2014-03-04
Category : Fiction
ISBN : 9781429956352

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The Tropic of Serpents by Marie Brennan Pdf

The thrilling adventure of Lady Trent continues in Marie Brennan's Tropic of Serpents . . . Attentive readers of Lady Trent's earlier memoir, A Natural History of Dragons, are already familiar with how a bookish and determined young woman named Isabella first set out on the historic course that would one day lead her to becoming the world's premier dragon naturalist. Now, in this remarkably candid second volume, Lady Trent looks back at the next stage of her illustrious (and occasionally scandalous) career. Three years after her fateful journeys through the forbidding mountains of Vystrana, Mrs. Camherst defies family and convention to embark on an expedition to the war-torn continent of Eriga, home of such exotic draconian species as the grass-dwelling snakes of the savannah, arboreal tree snakes, and, most elusive of all, the legendary swamp-wyrms of the tropics. The expedition is not an easy one. Accompanied by both an old associate and a runaway heiress, Isabella must brave oppressive heat, merciless fevers, palace intrigues, gossip, and other hazards in order to satisfy her boundless fascination with all things draconian, even if it means venturing deep into the forbidden jungle known as the Green Hell . . . where her courage, resourcefulness, and scientific curiosity will be tested as never before. At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Author : Rory Carroll
Publisher : Penguin Books
Page : 326 pages
File Size : 54,7 Mb
Release : 2014-02-25
Category : Biography & Autobiography
ISBN : 9780143124887

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Comandante by Rory Carroll Pdf

Describes the leadership of Venezuela's elected president, Hugo Chávez, and his efforts to transform his country and paints a picture of his life based on interviews with ministers, aides, courtiers, and everyday citizens.

Author : Marie Brennan
Publisher : Tor Books
Page : 349 pages
File Size : 40,9 Mb
Release : 2015-03-31
Category : Fiction
ISBN : 9781429956369

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Voyage of the Basilisk by Marie Brennan Pdf

The thrilling adventure of Lady Trent continues in Marie Brennan's Voyage of the Basilisk . . . Devoted readers of Lady Trent's earlier memoirs, A Natural History of Dragons and The Tropic of Serpents, may believe themselves already acquainted with the particulars of her historic voyage aboard the Royal Survey Ship Basilisk, but the true story of that illuminating, harrowing, and scandalous journey has never been revealed—until now. Six years after her perilous exploits in Eriga, Isabella embarks on her most ambitious expedition yet: a two-year trip around the world to study all manner of dragons in every place they might be found. From feathered serpents sunning themselves in the ruins of a fallen civilization to the mighty sea serpents of the tropics, these creatures are a source of both endless fascination and frequent peril. Accompanying her is not only her young son, Jake, but a chivalrous foreign archaeologist whose interests converge with Isabella's in ways both professional and personal. Science is, of course, the primary objective of the voyage, but Isabella's life is rarely so simple. She must cope with storms, shipwrecks, intrigue, and warfare, even as she makes a discovery that offers a revolutionary new insight into the ancient history of dragons. The Lady Trent Memoirs 1. A Natural History of Dragons 2. The Tropic of Serpents 3. Voyage of the Basilisk 4. In the Labyrinth of Drakes 5. Within the Sanctuary of Wings At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Author : Javier Corrales
Publisher : Brookings Institution Press
Page : 258 pages
File Size : 43,9 Mb
Release : 2022-11-01
Category : Political Science
ISBN : 9780815738084

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Autocracy Rising by Javier Corrales Pdf

How autocracy flourished even as the economy failed in Venezuela An alarming number of countries that once were seemingly stable democracies have veered in recent years toward authoritarianism—a trend known as “democratic backsliding.” One of those countries in Venezuela, which enjoyed periods of democratically elected governments in the latter half of the twentieth century but in the past two decades has increasingly descended into autocratic rule, coupled with economic collapse. Autocracy Rising, written by a veteran scholar of Venezuela and Latin American politics generally explores how and why this happened. Corrales argues that Venezuela’s slide began with the policies of former president Hugo Chávez—policies that were based on government control of the economy and in turn generated a lingering economic crisis. After he succeeded Chávez in 2013, Nicolás Maduro not only entrenched the failed economic policies but also responded to various crises by establishing institutions that further undermined democracy. Each of Maduro’s responses may have solved a short-term problem but collectively they destroyed both any pretense of democracy in Venezuela and prospects for his own long-term success. Corrales analyzes the lingering crisis in Venezuela by comparing it to twenty cases in Latin America where presidents were forced out of office. Regardless of how the current situation ends in Venezuela, His book illuminates the depressing cycle in which semi-authoritarian regimes become increasingly autocratic in response to crises, only to cause new crises that led to even greater authoritarianism.

Author : Byron E. Martin,Laurelynn G. Martin
Publisher : Storey Publishing, LLC
Page : 161 pages
File Size : 40,5 Mb
Release : 2012-01-02
Category : Gardening
ISBN : 9781603424653

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Growing Tasty Tropical Plants in Any Home, Anywhere by Byron E. Martin,Laurelynn G. Martin Pdf

Enjoy fresh java brewed from your own coffee beans or juice from the orange tree growing in a sunny corner of your living room. Laurelynn G. Martin and Byron E. Martin show you how to successfully plant, grow, and harvest 47 varieties of tropical fruiting plants — in any climate! This straightforward, easy-to-use guide brings papaya, passionfruit, pepper, pineapples, and more out of the tropics and into your home. With plenty of gorgeous foliage, entrancing fragrances, and luscious fruits, local food has never been more exotic.

Author : David Biedrzycki
Publisher : Charlesbridge Publishing
Page : 40 pages
File Size : 44,5 Mb
Release : 2020-12-15
Category : Juvenile Fiction
ISBN : 9781632898968

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Me and My Dragon by David Biedrzycki Pdf

Dragon lovers will jump at the chance to see what raising a friendly dragon just might look like in this hilarious read aloud about a boy and his pet. While dragons may not be the most traditional of pets, the boy explains how his dragon, Sparky, would be the perfect pet and pal. He details tips for how to pick a dragon, what to do when your dragon misbehaves, and what NOT to feed them (broccoli). Clever and wry text paired with bright and comedic illustrations will make Me and My Dragon a storytime favorite for kids and adults alike.

Author : Javier Corrales,Carlos A. Romero
Publisher : Routledge
Page : 242 pages
File Size : 51,6 Mb
Release : 2013
Category : Political Science
ISBN : 9780415895248

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United States-Venezuela Relations Since the 1990s by Javier Corrales,Carlos A. Romero Pdf

Oil makes up one-third of Venezuela's entire GDP, and the United States is far and away Venezuela's largest trading partner. Relations between Venezuela and the United States, traditionally close for most of the last two centuries, began to fray as the end of the Cold War altered the international environment. U.S.-Venezuela Relations since the 1990s explores relations between these two countries since 1999, when Hugo Chavez came to office and proceeded to change Venezuela's historical relation with the United States and other democracies. The authors analyze the reasons for rising bilateral conflict, the decision-making process in Venezuela, the role played by public and private actors in shaping foreign policy, the role of other powers such as China, Russia, Iran, and Saudi Arabia in shaping U.S.-Venezuelan relations, the role of Venezuela in Cuba and Colombia, and the impact of broader international dynamics in the bi-lateral relations.

Author : John A. Booth
Publisher : ReadHowYouWant.com
Page : 714 pages
File Size : 50,9 Mb
Release : 2011-05-14
Category : History
ISBN : 9781458761682

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Understanding Central America by John A. Booth Pdf

The fifth edition of Understanding Central America explains how domestic and global political and economic forces have shaped rebellion and regime change in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. John A. Booth, Christine J. Wade, and Thomas W. Walker explore the origins and development of the region's political conflicts and its efforts to resolve them. Covering the region's political and economic development from the early 1800s onward, the authors provide a background for understanding Central America's rebellion and regime change of the past forty years. This revised edition brings the Central American story up to date, with special emphasis on globalization, evolving public opinion, progress toward democratic consolidation, and the relationship between Central America and the United States under the Obama administration, and includes analysis of the 2009 Honduran coup d'etat. A useful introduction to the region and a model for how to convey its complexities in language readers will comprehend, Understanding Central America stands out as a must-have resource.

Author : Nicola O'Byrne
Publisher : Bloomsbury Publishing
Page : 32 pages
File Size : 47,9 Mb
Release : 2016-07-14
Category : Juvenile Fiction
ISBN : 9781408839546

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The Great Dragon Bake Off by Nicola O'Byrne Pdf

At the Ferocious Dragon Academy, dragons-in-training learn the arts of bone crunching and teeth sharpening. But there is one dragon who harbours a passion for a most undragon-like pastime . . . Meet Flamie Oliver. To look at, Flamie is as terrifying as a dragon can get. But behind closed doors, Flamie is . . . a stupendously spectacular Star Baker! That's right – choux, rough, salty, sweet and puff – Flamie loves it all. In fact, he loves baking so much that his studies at the Ferocious Dragon Academy are starting to suffer, and there's a chance he won't graduate! Flamie's going to need a real showstopper to get out of this one. On your marks, get set . . . BAKE! Fabulously funny and perfect for fans of BBCs Great British Bake Off

Author : Leslie Gates
Publisher : University of Pittsburgh Pre
Page : 219 pages
File Size : 54,6 Mb
Release : 2010
Category : History
ISBN : 9780822973737

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Electing Chavez by Leslie Gates Pdf

Venezuela's Hugo Chávez was the first anti-neoliberal presidential candidate to win in the region. Electing Chávez examines the circumstances that facilitated this pivotal election. By 1998, Venezuela had been rocked by two major scandals-the exchange rate incidents of the 1980s and the banking crisis of 1994-and had suffered rising social inequality. These events created a deep-seated distrust of establishment politicians. Chávez's 1998 victory, however, was far from inevitable. Other presidential candidates also stood against corruption and promised a clean break from politics as usual. Moreover, business opposition to Chávez's anti-neoliberal candidacy should have convinced voters that his victory would provoke a downward economic spiral. In Electing Chávez, Leslie C. Gates examines how Chávez won over voters and even obtained the secret allegiance of a group of business “elite outliers,” with a reinterpretation of the relationship between business and the state during Venezuela's era of two-party dominance (1959-1998). Through extensive research on corruption and the backgrounds of political leaders, Gates tracks the rise of business-related corruption scandals and documents how business became identified with Venezuela's political establishment. These trends undermined the public's trust in business and converted business opposition into an asset for Chávez. This long history of business-tied politicians and the scandals they often provoked also framed the decisions of elite outliers. As Gates reveals, elite outliers supported Chávez despite his anti-neoliberal stance because they feared that the success of Chávez's main rival would deny them access to Venezuela's powerful oil state.

Author : Tony Abbott
Publisher : Open Road Media
Page : 61 pages
File Size : 42,7 Mb
Release : 2014-04-29
Category : Juvenile Fiction
ISBN : 9781480486386

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Danger Guys and the Golden Lizard by Tony Abbott Pdf

The Danger Guys head to the jungle on a quest to find an ancient treasure It’s Noodle and Zeek’s greatest adventure yet! The boys are excited to learn that they are going on a quest for the mysterious Golden Lizard with the Emersons, the famous husband-and-wife explorer team. What could be more daring and fun than a treasure hunt in the jungle? But as the group soon discovers, they aren’t the only ones after the Golden Lizard. When the Emersons are kidnapped, Noodle and Zeek know it is up to them to save the day. The boys must rescue the Emersons, fight off ninja linebackers, and find the Golden Lizard before the bad guys can. But the truth about the legendary Golden Lizard is something that Noodle and Zeek could never have imagined. Danger Guys and the Golden Lizard is the 6th book in Danger Guys, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.

Author : F. Halle,R.A.A. Oldeman,P.B. Tomlinson
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
Page : 457 pages
File Size : 50,5 Mb
Release : 2012-12-06
Category : Science
ISBN : 9783642811906

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Tropical Trees and Forests by F. Halle,R.A.A. Oldeman,P.B. Tomlinson Pdf

Author : Pam Baggett
Publisher : Timber Press
Page : 211 pages
File Size : 44,5 Mb
Release : 2008-01-01
Category : Gardening
ISBN : 9780881929478

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Tropicalismo! by Pam Baggett Pdf

Does your garden lack zing? Are your borders a bore? Spice them up with a touch of the tropics! Tropical plants bring sizzle to every garden. Bananas in Maine, cannas in CanadaÑthese plants can be grown everywhere. Whether used in containers or planted directly in the ground, their bold leaves and over-the-top flowers create instant drama. Pam Baggett chooses 100 of the best tropical plants and shows readers how to grow them, how to combine them with other plants, and how to make eye-popping compositions of color and pattern. Love flaming orange? Try cannas, lantanas, and 'Fire Dragon' coleus. Screaming magenta more your taste? Go for hot-pink four o'clocks, bloodleaf, and 'Cranberry Punch' pentas. If you're passionate about purple, grab princess flower, Brazilian skyflower, and 'Purple Majesty' sage. ÁTropicalismo! offers hundreds of ideas for turning gardens, decks, and patios into a visual fiesta. A taste of the tropics is all it takes to turn your garden into a paradise.