Bolivarian Circles
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The Bolivarian Circles are a 2.3 million member, loosely-knit political and social organization of workers' councils in Venezuela originally begun by President Hugo Chávez. They are named after Simón Bolívar, the leader who transformed most of South America from Spanish colonial outposts to the independent states now in place.
The circles are neighbourhood groups charged with the reorganizing of Venezuelan society from the grassroots, and pushing forward the Venezuelan revolution. These workers' councils began as very dependent on the Chávez government and its bureaucracy--President Chávez originally selected candidates from which the circles were to choose leaders. Spontaneous acts of defiance, such as walking out and electing their own candidates, have gained them an independence that has made them into a powerful social force on par with the soviets (workers' councils) in pre-revolutionary Russia. They are generally seen as the most revolutionary wing of Venezuelan society, carrying out factory occupations and taking large estates, and fighting against bureaucrats who are on the more reformist wing of society. As a signal of that role perhaps, one of the slogans that have come out of these councils has been "the revolution, with or without Chávez". Indicating that their aspirations for socialism, and in some cases even communism, are not something to be sacrificed for charismatic politicians.
Because his Bolivarianism relies on popular support, Chávez has made provision for grassroots and participatory democracy via the so-called "Bolivarian Circles". In 2000, Chávez authorized then-Vice President Diosdado Cabello to financially support such circles. The circles themselves were decentralized and autonomous from any central government or hierarchical overseeing, and were organized on the neighborhood and block level. The circles were charged with such tasks as neighborhood beautification, grassroots organizing and activism, lending support to small businesses, and charity work.<ref name="Sanchez_2003">Template:Harv.</ref> The circles reached a peak membership of 2.2 million in July 2003 and were instrumental in, among other things, urging voter approval of the 1999 Constitution and foiling the 2002 coup attempt with mass grassroots mobilization for pro-Chávez demonstrations.<ref name="burke_30Jul2003">Template:Harv.</ref> However, their significance to Venezuelan politics has trailed off significantly since 2003, as most circles have effectively disbanded. Pro-Chávez Bolivarian circles are not exclusive to Venezuela—similar circles of supporters remain widespread in, for example, Germany, Austria, the United States, and France (where circles exist in Vienna, Tübingen, Bielefeld, and Paris). Circles are also found in Australia, Canada, and several other nations.
Increasingly however, it seems Chávez is not challenging these positions that were further to the left than his, but in fact adopting some of the ideas of these councils himself, such as his announcement that socialism is the only way forward, or his nationalization of Venepal.
Venezuelans who oppose Chávez allege that the circles are dangerous organizations who could potentially carry out terrorist acts.