This is Democracy – Episode 315: Venezuela Intervention

This is Democracy – Episode 315: Venezuela Intervention

From This is Democracy by This is Democracy

January 16, 2026 · 33 min

About this episode

The episode discusses the implications of US intervention in Venezuela with Professor Kurt Weyland.

This week, Jeremi and Zachary discuss the implications of US intervention in Venezuela with Professor Kurt Weyland, examining the Monroe Doctrine's historical context, the interplay of realist and idealist motives, and the uncertain future of Venezuelan politics. Dr. Kurt Weyland is the Mike Hogg Professor in Liberal Arts at the University of Texas at Austin. He has conducted original research in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Peru, and Venezuela. Prof. Weyland is the author of seven books, including: The Politics of Market Reform in Fragile Democracies (Princeton, 2002); Making Waves: Democratic Contention in Europe and Latin America(Cambridge, 2014); Assault on Democracy: Communism, Fascism, and Authoritarianism during the Interwar Years (Cambridge, 2021); and Democracy’s Resilience to Populism’s Threat (Cambridge, 2024).

People in this episode

Hosts: Jeremi, Zachary

Guest: Kurt Weyland

Topics covered

  • US intervention
  • Venezuela politics
  • Monroe Doctrine
  • realist motives
  • idealist motives

Keywords

  • Venezuela
  • US intervention
  • Monroe Doctrine
  • Kurt Weyland
  • politics
  • realism
  • idealism

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: University of Texas at Austin

Books & works: The Politics of Market Reform in Fragile Democracies, Making Waves: Democratic Contention in Europe and Latin America, Assault on Democracy: Communism, Fascism, and Authoritarianism during the Interwar Years, Democracy’s Resilience to Populism’s Threat

Places: Venezuela, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Peru

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