Things Are Never So Bad That They Can't Get Worse by William Neuman

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.

Chávez’s regime and policies, which have been reinforced under Nicolás Maduro, squandered abundant resources and ultimately bankrupted the country. The ascent of Hugo Chávez 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 presided over only lasted while oil sold for more than $100 a barrel. Republicans like to point to Venezuela as the perfect example of the emptiness of socialism, but it is a better model for something the destructive potential of charismatic populist leadership. Venezuela’s collapse affects all of Latin America, as well as the United States and the international community. Twenty percent of the population has fled, creating the largest refugee exodus in the world, rivaling only war-torn Syria’s crisis. 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. 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. 'Richly reported.a thorough and important history.' -Tim Padgett, The New York TimesĪ nuanced and deeply-reported account of the collapse of Venezuela, and what it could mean for the rest of the world. Named Foreign Affairs Best Books of 2022 and the National Endowment for Democracy Notable Books of 2022

Things Are Never So Bad That They Can't Get Worse by William Neuman