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Venezuela follows a road map towards authoritarian socialism. Defeated by popular vote in his intention to convert the constitution into a platform for socialism in December 2007, President Chavez decided to accelerate change by decree as a form to legitimize the amendments the people had disapproved. The results of the regional and local elections dealt him a symbolic blow which he fought back stepping up his efforts at political re-centralization. Centralized decision-making and a top-down approach to policy formation, the erosion of vertical power-sharing and concentration of power in the presidency, the progressive deinstitutionalization at all levels, and an increasingly paternalist relationship between state and society characterize Venezuela’s political process at this time and in the foreseeable future.