Bolivar and democracy.

PositionVIEWPOINT - Simon Bolivar - In memoriam

Since we began our history as new nations 200 years ago, our historic quest has been to establish popular sovereignty and the kind of republican and democratic governance that would facilitate social progress and freedom. This quest has taken place, unfortunately, amidst weak institutions, precarious political culture, personal ambitions, legalistic formalities, and interests opposed to the legitimate rights of the people.

When Simón Bolivar, the Liberator, determined the institutional destiny of Venezuela, he spoke out in favor of republican and democratic governance, and he did so in spite of our traditions rooted in monarchy and our lack of political experience. He used to say that "only Democracy can provide the conditions necessary for absolute freedom," but he also asked anxiously: "Where is there a democratic government that has brought together power, prosperity, and permanence at the same time?"

From his earliest days as leader and judge, the Liberator demonstrated his integrity and principles as a citizen, his virtues as a governor, his gifts as a statesman, and his commitment to abiding by and respecting the decisions of Congress. As he took command in the name of the country, he showed that he respected poplar sovereignty more than his own permanence in power, by saying: "The first day of peace will be the last day of my command." He also proclaimed that his ultimate aspiration would be "to have no rights beyond those of a simple citizen."

One of the reasons that the independence of the Americas was sought was that we understood that political life needed to be determined by Americans. In spite of our insufficiencies, the system chosen was a democratic system capable of ensuring a safe and secure society, political stability, and the happiness and wellbeing of citizens. This is the kind of government that the Liberator wanted for Venezuela. When he looked at outside experiences, he was able to highlight their virtues but did not consider them applicable to the American experience, and he warned us of the shortcomings of "aerial republics" based on abstract sociopolitical concepts rather than social and historical realities. When Bolivar sought to define the republican bases of a government, he included "the sovereignty of the people, the separation of powers, civil liberties, a ban on slavery, and the abolition of the monarchy and of priviliges." In spite of his consistency and the sacrifices he made for these ideals, there were...

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