Iran and Venezuela: Skilful Politicians and Blame-Shifting Tactics

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This chapter explores the strategies employed by leaders like Ahmadinejad of Iran and Hugo Chavez of Venezuela to maintain power. It discusses how they capitalized on their countries' oil wealth, manipulated media and elections, and shifted blame to the United States for internal issues. The chapter also examines the high-risk strategy pursued by Iran in regards to nuclear weapons and the challenges faced by the Iranian leader amidst political rivals.

Bruce Bueno de Mesquita of NYU and Stanford University's Hoover Institution talks about the incentives facing dictators and democratic leaders. Both have to face competition from rivals. Both try to please their constituents and cronies to stay in power. He applies his insights to foreign aid, the Middle East, Venezuela, the potential for China's evolution to a more democratic system, and Cuba. Along the way, he explains why true democracy is more than just elections--it depends crucially on freedom of assembly and freedom of the press.