Movement for Socialism

The Movement for Socialism (Spanish: Movimiento al Socialismo, or MAS) is a social-democratic political party in Venezuela. MAS was founded in 1971 by a faction of the Communist Party of Venezuela that opposed the Communist Party's use of armed tactics. (Controversial matter. See: Discussion). Initially led by Teodoro Petkoff, its first congress was held on January 14, 1971. In the 1980s another left-wing party, the Movement of the Revolutionary Left, merged with MAS.

In the 1970s to the 1990s, members of MAS hoped that the party would become the third largest political force, challenging the dominant Social Christian and Democratic Action parties. However, the party often won less than 5% of the vote.

1983 MAS election poster, with presidential candidate Teodoro Petkoff

MAS initially supported the government of Hugo Chávez in 1998. Petkoff disagreed with this decision and left the party. Disagreements between MAS and Chávez subsequently emerged, and MAS joined the opposition.

In the legislative elections of 30 July 2000, the party won 21 out of 165 seats in the National Assembly. Its current leaders include Leopoldo Puchi, Felipe Mújica and Carlos Tablante.

Further reading

• Venezuela's Movimiento al Socialismo: From Guerrilla Defeat to Innovative Politics by Steve Ellner. [Reviews: by Jennifer L. McCoy in Journal of Interamerican Studies and World Affairs, Vol. 31, No. 4 (Winter, 1989), pp. 243-245; by John D. Martz in The Hispanic American Historical Review, Vol. 69, No. 1 (Feb., 1989), pp. 142-143]

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