Who Can Stop the Drums? Urban Social Movements in Chavez's Venezuela

In her new book, Who Can Stop the Drums? Urban Social Movements in Chavez's Venezuela, Sujatha Fernandes weaves barrio residents’ life stories into her account of movements for social and economic justice. She portrays everyday life and politics in the shantytowns of Caracas through accounts of community-based radio, barrio assemblies, and popular fiestas. Fernandes locates the struggles of the urban poor within Venezuela’s transition from neoliberalism to what she calls “post-neoliberalism.” She argues that while Chávez is actively challenging neoliberalism, the state remains subject to the constraints and logics of global capital.