Things are never so bad that they can't get worse inside the collapse of Venezuela Things are never so bad that they can not get worse Neuman, William creator author. text bibliography biography POLITICAL SCIENCE / World / Caribbean & Latin American^POLITICAL SCIENCE / Corruption & Misconduct. nyu 2022 2022 First edition. monographic eng print x, 337 pages ; 25 cm "A nuanced and deeply-reported account of the collapse of Venezuela, and what it could mean for the rest of the world. Today, Venezuela is a country of perpetual crisis--a country of rolling blackouts, nearly worthless currency, uncertain supply of water and food, and extreme poverty. In the same land where oil--the largest reserve in the world--sits so close to the surface that it bubbles from the ground, where gold and other mineral resources are abundant, and where the government spends billions of dollars on public works projects that go abandoned, the supermarket shelves are bare and the hospitals have no medicine. Ten percent of the population has fled, creating the largest refugee exodus in the hemisphere, rivaling only war-torn Libya's crisis. Venezuela's collapse affects all of Latin America, as well as the United States and the international community. Republicans like to point to Venezuela as the perfect example of the emptiness of socialism, but it is a better model for something else: the destructive potential of charismatic populist leadership. Hugo Chavez's ascent was a precursor to the emergence of strongmen that can now be seen all over the world, and the success of the corrupt economy he established only lasted while oil sold for $120 a barrel. Things Are Never So Bad That They Can't Get Worse is a fluid combination of journalism, memoir, and history that chronicles Venezuela's tragic journey from petro-riches to poverty. Author William Neuman witnessed it all firsthand while living in Caracas and serving as the New York Times Andes Region Bureau Chief. His book paints a clear-eyed, riveting, and highly personal portrait of the crisis unfolding in real time, with all of its tropical surrealism, extremes of wealth and suffering, and gripping drama. It is also a heartfelt reflection of the country's great beauty and vibrancy--and the energy, passion, and humor of its people--even under the most challenging circumstances." -- Prologue: Mene grande -- Blackout -- The shouting country -- Blackout -- To be Bolívar -- Blackout -- Crude -- The man under the palm tree -- First, I want to say good morning -- Irrevocable, absolute, total -- The barrio -- Little bird -- Blackout -- Things are never so bad -- Blackout -- Kidnapped -- Blackout -- Means without production -- Piñata -- Blackout -- Not anymore -- Maximum pressure -- Exodus -- Swearing in -- Avalanche -- Bubble -- Dead houses -- A wooden knife -- Golden hearts -- Newsprint -- The screw-up at Macuto -- Blackout -- Venezuela agonistes. adult William Neuman. Includes bibliographical references (pages 307-325) and index. s-ve--- Chávez Frías, Hugo Influence Maduro, Nicolás 1962- Chávez Frías, Hugo Maduro, Nicolás 1962- Venezuela Politics and government 1999- Venezuela Social conditions 21st century Venezuela Economic conditions 21st century Venezuela Politique et gouvernement 1999- Venezuela Conditions sociales 21e siècle Venezuela Conditions économiques 21e siècle HISTORY / Americas (North, Central, South, West Indies) Economic history Influence (Literary, artistic, etc.) Politics and government Social conditions Venezuela Since 1999 fast F2329 .N48 2022 987.06/42 9781250266163 1250266165 9781250266170 2021046503 pda,print DLC 210921 20250318213130.6 in00004583507 eng