Paper Tigers and Minotaurs: The Politics of Venezuela's Economic Reforms

Naím, Moisés

Book

Paper Tigers and Minotaurs: The Politics of Venezuela's Economic Reforms

Weakened public institutions, military reform, and public opinion in the face of rapid change have opened the door for corruption, inequitable distribution of burdens, and political instability in South America. Countries in the region are facing painful and sometimes dangerous reform.

By Moisés Naím

Published on Jan 1, 1993

Source: Washington

Based on Moisés Naím's experiences as Minister of Industry in rapidly changing Venezuela and as Executive Director at the World Bank, this book raises questions and explores problems crucial to political and economic reform. Dr. Naím grapples with entrenched interests bent on derailing reform, the corrosive effects of corruption, the inequitable distribution of burdens, political instability brought on by weakened public institutions, military reform, and public opinion in the face of rapid change. After the revolutionary political and economic changes of the 1980s and early 1990s, the countries of South America—and many other countries all over the world—are facing painful and sometimes dangerous reform. Dr. Naím's book tackles the subject of managing that reform.

Advance Praise

“This book is a timely and relevant contribution for rethinking both the content and the process of future reform attempts.”
—Miriam Kornblith, Universidad Central de Venezuela

“The story is well-told and the lessons valuable for those interested in under-standing, as well as making, economic policy."
—Robert Grosse, University of Miami

About the Author

Moisés Naím

Distinguished Fellow

Moisés Naím is a distinguished fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, a best-selling author, and an internationally syndicated columnist.

Recent Work

Research
The World Reacts to Biden’s First 100 Days
- +10
  Rosa Balfour, Frances Z. Brown, Yasmine Farouk, …
Commentary
View From Latin America
- Moisés Naím

North America South America Trade

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

More Work from Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Commentary
Carnegie Politika
Belarus Wants More From the West Than a ‘Massive Deal’ on Potash
Trump has promised Belarus a massive potash deal. But Minsk is seeking something greater: restored Western transit and greater room for maneuver from Russia.
Balázs Jarábik
Paper
Recasting American Power in Latin America
Washington needs to recognize that influence in the Western Hemisphere comes from presence, delivery, and reliability. It also must recognize that while the United States remains the key external actor, it no longer operates in a permissive environment and cannot presume deference from regional players who have other options, namely China.
Juan S. Gonzalez
Commentary
Strategic Europe
A Black Sea Truce Is About Global Food Security, Too
A summer of escalation in the Black Sea has hurt Ukraine economically and is exacerbating world food security. A truce is needed—as is a broader reframing of Europe’s Ukraine strategy.
Thomas de Waal
Commentary
BIS in the New Age of Import Controls
The Bureau of Industry and Security needs to adjust its focus and practices to maintain its position as the U.S. government’s primary champion of international technological competition.
Geoffrey Irving
Commentary
Emissary
The Fallout of the U.S.–Canada Trade War Won’t Be Limited to North America
U.S. trading partners in Asia are closely watching the dispute for signs of how it may affect their own interests.
Barbara Weisel

More Work from Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Commentary

Carnegie Politika

Belarus Wants More From the West Than a ‘Massive Deal’ on Potash

Trump has promised Belarus a massive potash deal. But Minsk is seeking something greater: restored Western transit and greater room for maneuver from Russia.

Balázs Jarábik

.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright speaks with Venezuela's interim president, Delcy Rodríguez during a press conference regarding the oil agreement reached by the US government and Venezuela on September 2, 2026 in Caracas, Venezuela.

Paper

Recasting American Power in Latin America

Washington needs to recognize that influence in the Western Hemisphere comes from presence, delivery, and reliability. It also must recognize that while the United States remains the key external actor, it no longer operates in a permissive environment and cannot presume deference from regional players who have other options, namely China.

Juan S. Gonzalez

Commentary

Strategic Europe

A Black Sea Truce Is About Global Food Security, Too

A summer of escalation in the Black Sea has hurt Ukraine economically and is exacerbating world food security. A truce is needed—as is a broader reframing of Europe’s Ukraine strategy.

Thomas de Waal

hands holding semiconductors in production

Commentary

BIS in the New Age of Import Controls

The Bureau of Industry and Security needs to adjust its focus and practices to maintain its position as the U.S. government’s primary champion of international technological competition.

Geoffrey Irving

Aerial view of shipping containers at a port

Commentary

Emissary

The Fallout of the U.S.–Canada Trade War Won’t Be Limited to North America

U.S. trading partners in Asia are closely watching the dispute for signs of how it may affect their own interests.

Barbara Weisel