Centralization, Decentralization, and Venezuelan Geopolitics

Posted on Nov 19, 2024 in Social sciences

Centralization

  • Centralization occurs when the upper body has all functions, jurisdiction, and control of public administration.

Characteristics of Centralization

  • A higher body concentrates all functions and competence.
  • Other government bodies lack functional autonomy and cannot make public decisions.

Decentralization

  • Decentralization is assigning competence to another public administration body for specific solutions.

Characteristics of Government Decentralization

  • Competence is not solely in a higher body.
  • Enables the creation of other bodies.
  • Each organ functions with its own powers and jurisdiction.
  • Decentralized government organs are diverse.

Autonomous Institutes

  • Legal public entities created by national law, state, or municipal ordinance.
  • Independent bodies with their own assets.

State Enterprises

  • Commercial societies where the republic, state, or municipality holds over 50% stake.
  • Created by decree or ruling from the president, governor, or mayor.

Communication

  • Process of conveying information through words or other purposeful means.

Importance of the Medium

  • Enables transmission of a message.
  • Effective communication requires a clear, understandable message.

Media Classification

  • Print Media: Newspapers, magazines, etc.
  • Visual Media: Uses images to construct messages.
  • Audiovisual Media: Uses sight and sound (e.g., TV).
  • Multimedia: Integrates all previous elements.

Historical Context

  • First newspapers in America appeared in the 18th century (e.g., News of New Mexico and Spain, 1722).
  • Correo del Orinoco promoted Venezuelan independence.

Venezuelan Television

  • Television began in Venezuela on November 22, 1955, with Channel 5.
  • Includes Radio Caracas Televisión (Channel 2), Venevisión (Channel 4), and Venezolana de Televisión (Channel 8).

Security and Defense

Integral Development

  • Guarantees rights and security in economic, social, political, cultural, geographical, environmental, and military aspects.

Overall Defense

  • System of methods and actions to safeguard national independence, freedom, integrity, and sovereignty.

Integral Development Implementation

  • Plans, programs, and projects to meet individual and collective needs.

Security and Defense Responsibility

  • Shared between the state and the nation.

Mobilization

  • Preparatory actions to transition from ordinary to extraordinary states.

Types of Mobilization

  • Partial Mobilization: In a specific area or region.
  • Total Mobilization: Nationwide.

Conditions for Mobilization

  • Ordered by the president with support from the defense ministers.

Requisition

  • Expropriation of property for national needs.

Security Zones

  • Areas subject to control for safeguarding goods and activities.

Types of Security Zones

  • Border Security Zone: For border control and movement of people.
  • Adjacent to shores, seas, lakes, and navigable rivers.
  • Areas surrounding military installations, public industries, and essential services.

Venezuelan Geopolitical Fronts

  • Geographical areas integrating maritime, air, and land territories with neighboring countries.

Fronts

  • Caribbean
  • Atlantic
  • Amazonian
  • Andean

Maritime Boundaries

  • Venezuela has 1,460 nautical miles.

Atlantic Front

  • Located in eastern Venezuela, bordered by islands under French and Trinidad and Tobago rule.

Amazonian Front

  • Located south of Venezuela, bordering Brazil.