The globalization of Venezuelan foreign policy (1969-1979)

In accordance with the hypothesis proposed, the Venezuelan foreign policy implemented during the 1969-1979 decade is explained in terms of a small set of internal goals (protection of oil income, pacification of guerillas and territorial sovereignty) and an external factor (structural decline of U.S. influence coupled to new conditions of detente). That policy resulted in the institutionalization of the country's global interests and objectives and consequently manifested itself in the globalization of the diplomatic network. Venezuela also acted with more independence of the world power centers and emphasized its affinities with developing countries in all regions.;Historically, the political and economic legacy which the twentieth century left to the Democratic Era that began in 1958 was one of international passivity, subordination to the United States, an oligarchic political system, a nouveau riche society, and a distorted economy. During the Democratic Era, after the consolidation of constitutional democracy under the presidencies of Romulo Betancourt and Raul Leoni, Venezuelan foreign policy evolved rapidly towards independence and globalism under presidents Caldera and Perez.;The decisive drive towards the globalization of Venezuelan foreign policy which took place during the 1970s is identified by presenting evidence of two closely interrelated developments: (a) the expansion and diversification of the diplomatic network and (b) the rise of globalism, independence, and diplomatic activism in Venezuelan foreign policy.;Case studies on relations with the Soviet Union, China, and Cuba illustrate the diversification of the Venezuelan diplomatic network. Such new policy of globalistic activism and independence of the superpowers is explained by considering in each case study the elements of the hypothesis. That analysis validates the relevance of the four elements chosen in explaining the overall policy of globalization which developed in Venezuela in the 1970s.;The evolution of Venezuelan foreign policy from the close of Perez's first presidency in March 1979 to the time of writing shows continuity under Presidents Herrera and Lusinchi in the more permanent aspects of globalization, such as the expansion and strengthening of Venezuela's diplomatic network, but it also highlights a shift toward a revived East-West orientation in cooperation with the Reagan administration. The end of the cold war resulted in a profound change in the international environment, and Venezuelan foreign policy gradually returned to the outlook of the 1970s. Following Perez's removal from office and a brief interim government, Rafael Caldera came back to the Miraflores Palace in 1994 to resume the tasks of a global foreign policy. These tasks include streamlining and rationalizing the diplomatic machinery.;The dissertation concludes that the Venezuelan foreign policy of the 1970s--the globalization of political and economic relations--which is explained by vital state goals and the relative decline of U.S. power, had lasting effects that extended to the 1980s. The revival of the cold war during those years constrained Venezuelan independence, but the diplomatic resources developed in the 1970s continued to be strengthened. Thus, Caldera and Perez were both right and visionary in making an opening to the world beyond ideological prejudices--twenty years before the definitive end of the cold war.