Is Bolivarianism the Future?
I would like to understand why people feel the "Bolivarian Revolutionaries" in Latin America represent a Marxist line, while the leadership of Mao Tse Tung and Joseph Stalin does not? It is absurd to say the Venezuelan society under the leadership of the eclectic national Bourgeois, Chavez, is more socialist than the societies of China and the USSR under the leaderships of Comrade Mao and Comrade Stalin.
Let us look at the facts, I will speak about why Venezuela is not Socialist...but in essence is Capitalist.
1. Chavez is not a Marxist, he is in fact quite eclectic and nationalistic. Chavez has called himself a Marxist, a Trotskyist, a Christian, a Bolivarian, and even a Maoist. Chavez is really none of these things, except for a strong man populist leader. While Chavez is obviously influenced by Marxist and even Maoist rhetoric, it is quite clear he does not understand Marx, Lenin, or any of Socialist theory in any way. Chavez is indeed a follower of Bolivar though, that is to say, Chavez is a Bourgeois Nationalist. This has been his ideology, Casearism and Nationalism.
2. Venezuelan economy is CAPITALIST. It operates and functions as do all Capitalists economy, and exchanges on the World Market. There is still substantial foriegn investment in the nation, private property ownership, Capitalist businesses, and so on. Classical textbook Capitalism at work; however there is more Social spending. This has been the accomplishments of Hugo Chavez, creating a modern european styled welfare state, like a European model. Chavez is in reality not opposing Capitalism, nor Imperialism, he is fighting fo his nation's own Capitalist development, so it can take the world stage and lead Latin America in competition against America and other European nations.
3. There has been no change in class relations in the nation what so ever. While there has been little power given to the masses under Chavez, being he is a populist, the Masses have not taken power, nor are they being used to change society. The masses are mostly idol, waiting for their savior Chavez to save them. The Bourgeoisie still have great power and lead society mainly, while allowing the crums to fall to the floor for the masses.
Now if you look at Comrade Mao, these criticisms can't be made about his leadership at all. While Comrade Stalin made many errors in not utilizing the Masses for the Revolution. Mr. Chavez has not accomplished anything significant in changing class relations in his nation nor allowing the masses to take more power into their hands, nor has he in any way changed Venezuelan economy.
Hopefully Chavez can move beyond his eclecticism, and start shaping a socialist society and lead the masses to changing their nation...but I think this is idle thinking if we think Chavez has already done this.
I also think it is rather foolish to denounce Comrade Mao or Comrade Stalin, without making any thorough going criticism of both men, and without looking critically at Mr.Chavez's "Boliviarin Revolution."
Let us look at the facts, I will speak about why Venezuela is not Socialist...but in essence is Capitalist.
1. Chavez is not a Marxist, he is in fact quite eclectic and nationalistic. Chavez has called himself a Marxist, a Trotskyist, a Christian, a Bolivarian, and even a Maoist. Chavez is really none of these things, except for a strong man populist leader. While Chavez is obviously influenced by Marxist and even Maoist rhetoric, it is quite clear he does not understand Marx, Lenin, or any of Socialist theory in any way. Chavez is indeed a follower of Bolivar though, that is to say, Chavez is a Bourgeois Nationalist. This has been his ideology, Casearism and Nationalism.
2. Venezuelan economy is CAPITALIST. It operates and functions as do all Capitalists economy, and exchanges on the World Market. There is still substantial foriegn investment in the nation, private property ownership, Capitalist businesses, and so on. Classical textbook Capitalism at work; however there is more Social spending. This has been the accomplishments of Hugo Chavez, creating a modern european styled welfare state, like a European model. Chavez is in reality not opposing Capitalism, nor Imperialism, he is fighting fo his nation's own Capitalist development, so it can take the world stage and lead Latin America in competition against America and other European nations.
3. There has been no change in class relations in the nation what so ever. While there has been little power given to the masses under Chavez, being he is a populist, the Masses have not taken power, nor are they being used to change society. The masses are mostly idol, waiting for their savior Chavez to save them. The Bourgeoisie still have great power and lead society mainly, while allowing the crums to fall to the floor for the masses.
Now if you look at Comrade Mao, these criticisms can't be made about his leadership at all. While Comrade Stalin made many errors in not utilizing the Masses for the Revolution. Mr. Chavez has not accomplished anything significant in changing class relations in his nation nor allowing the masses to take more power into their hands, nor has he in any way changed Venezuelan economy.
Hopefully Chavez can move beyond his eclecticism, and start shaping a socialist society and lead the masses to changing their nation...but I think this is idle thinking if we think Chavez has already done this.
I also think it is rather foolish to denounce Comrade Mao or Comrade Stalin, without making any thorough going criticism of both men, and without looking critically at Mr.Chavez's "Boliviarin Revolution."
Great and truthfully points comrade.
Sadly, I think many are turned off from MLM as it is portrayed by books like MAO: The Unknown Story. Reactionary crap like this turns a lot of people off.
Chavez, I've noticed is liked by the broad left, but even he doesn't escape the reactionary media attacks.
The challenge for us to challenge the validity of books like this, and bring truth to the people.
Posted by
celticfire |
4:04 PM
my email: redrebel84@softhome.net
Posted by
celticfire |
12:03 AM
"1. Chavez is not a Marxist, he is in fact quite eclectic and nationalistic."
I think one reason a lot of people are enamored with Chavez is that he is talking about socialism and revolution when so few in state power are doing so. In 1987, for example, before Gorbachev torpedoed the Soviet-led "socialist community," all manner of bourgeois regimes in the third world proclaimed "socialism," or even "Marxism-Leninism" and "scientific socialism." The mask quickly dropped away once the Soviets changed their tune. But this is a rarity now...
"2. Venezuelan economy is CAPITALIST."
But some think that he WILL lead the construction of socialism, step by step, and that we can see the embryo of this in certain "cooperatives" being generated.
"3. There has been no change in class relations in the nation what so ever."
True. But sections of the elite are indeed terrified, and many have fled the country and divested from the economy.
I am playing the "devil's advocate here. I think what is good is that this puts the question of socialism on the agenda for the masses. Venezuelan communists can support the country against U.S. imperialist subversion, while leading masses to demand REAL socialism and their rightful class rule.
Posted by
Klement |
11:02 AM
I actually agree with much of what you ahve said Klement, and I can't find anythign fundamentally that I disagree with; however you see the concrete detail of what Chavez is doing, and what he is about. I am not one to think Chavez is just misleading people and trying to become an eltie himself, I don't accuse him of this; however it is important to point out what Chavez is doing and what he is not. To give him blanqueted support is a tendency that goes around, and worse to call him and Venezula "Socialist" just confuses the lines even further.
We are seing this type of blanqueted support of Chavez from all over the Left. I think we should just call Chavez out for what he is, a more militant Salvador Allende.
We should defend Venezula from the Imperialists and continue analyze its development; however we must not lose sight of what is needed to be done.
Posted by
ShineThePath |
2:37 PM
Lal Salaam !
Posted by
Unknown |
8:59 AM
The government and peopple of Venezuela are doing some great things.
They've virtually done away with adult illiteracy, which was at 40% not very long ago.
They've been building decent and affordable housing (not fast enough, but faster than ever before).
They have opened half price food stores in the neighborhoods of the poor. There is much less hunger than not very long ago.
Employment is up, unemployment is down.
They are distributing land to the landless (not fast enough, but faster than ever before).
They have broken the political power of the old oligarchy. They confront corruption and bureaucratism today but the old political parties are dead.
They are trying to build a bloc of formerly colonialized Latin American nations capable of defending themselves against neo liberalist globalization.
They have given material aid to Cuba, a significant beacon for Latin Americans who cherish their national rights.
They have been able to bring medical attention to millions who had never had it before.
They are taking control of their main resource, petroleum.
Not too shabby. Call it what you will.
Posted by
Unknown |
6:39 AM
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