This book examines the process of dismantling the democratic institutions and protections in Venezuela under a Hugo Ch vez regime.

Part I. The Political Assault to State Powers through an Elected but Exclusionist Constituent Assembly and the Framework for Authoritarianism: 1. The 1999 constitution making process as an instrument for framing an authoritarian political regime; 2. The 1999 constitution: from an exclusionist constitution making process to its distorting implementation; 3. The endless and illegitimate transitory regime preventing the effective enforcement of the constitution; 4. The outcome: the consolidation of authoritarianism defrauding democracy; Part II. Institutional Developments for the Consolidation of Authoritarianism: 5. The reinforced centralization of the federation; 6. Powers' concentration and authoritarian government; 7. The catastrophic dependence and political subjection of the supreme tribunal of justice; 8. Statization, nationalization, expropriation and confiscation of private assets; Part III. The Constitutional Reforms Proposals Designed to Consolidate Authoritarianism: 9. The failed attempt to consolidate an authoritarian, socialist, centralized, repressive and militarist state in the constitution; 10. The alternate principle of government and the 2009 constitutional amendment on continuous reelection.