Miguel F.Acevedo
ABSTRACTS
THE POLITICAL AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION
IN VENEZUELA: IMPLICATIONS FOR FREE TRADE NEGOTIATIONS
Social
Science
Journal. 32(4):423-440. 1995
Rexene Hanes (1), Miguel Acevedo (1,2,3), F. Andrew Schoolmaster (2).
1 Institute of Applied Sciences, University of North Texas, Denton TX
76203.
2 Department of Geography, University of North Texas, Denton TX 76203.
3 Centro de Investigaci¢n y Proyectos en Simulaci¢n y Modelos
(CESIMO), Facultad de Ingenier¡a, Universidad de Los Andes,
Merida
5101, Venezuela.
Abstract
This paper analyzes the Venezuelan government's capacity for
environmental
regulation, with special emphasis on the limitations for reducing the
potential
environmental effects of increased economic activity due to trade
liberalization
and a future free trade agreement with the United States. The paper
examines
Venezuela's ongoing process of trade liberalization, the
characteristics
and tendencies of the political system, the legal and institutional
framework
for environmental regulation and the actors and alliances operating
within
this framework. It is concluded that the primary problem confronting
the
effective implementation of environmental regulations is political in
nature,
centering on the weakness of civil society and the current question of
survival of the regime. In the short term, environmental regulation
requires
strong social pressure which is not likely to come, however, from a
debilitated
civil society.
Key words: free trade, environmental regulations, Venezuela
Back to list