http://www.newschoolpolitics.com/uncategorized/the-peril-of-democratic-socialism-in-venezuela/ School's out. The New School is in session. Thu, 20 Nov 2008 10:21:47 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 http://www.newschoolpolitics.com/uncategorized/the-peril-of-democratic-socialism-in-venezuela/#comment-278 New School Politics » Chavez takes aim at free speech Tue, 12 Jun 2007 18:41:12 +0000 http://www.newschoolpolitics.com/?p=29#comment-278 [...] think I have said enough about the bottomless pit that Venezuela has jumped into (here and here), and my notations continue to prove correct. Now Chavez has taken a TV Network off the [...] [...] think I have said enough about the bottomless pit that Venezuela has jumped into (here and here), and my notations continue to prove correct. Now Chavez has taken a TV Network off the [...]

]]> http://www.newschoolpolitics.com/uncategorized/the-peril-of-democratic-socialism-in-venezuela/#comment-22 New School Politics » Chavez further consolidates power Sun, 11 Feb 2007 15:51:33 +0000 http://www.newschoolpolitics.com/?p=29#comment-22 [...] think its safe to say that my warning last week about utilitarian socialism in Venezuela is perpetuating itself. Earlier today Venezuela centralized political power to the brink of [...] [...] think its safe to say that my warning last week about utilitarian socialism in Venezuela is perpetuating itself. Earlier today Venezuela centralized political power to the brink of [...]

]]> http://www.newschoolpolitics.com/uncategorized/the-peril-of-democratic-socialism-in-venezuela/#comment-18 iacopo Fri, 26 Jan 2007 02:38:14 +0000 http://www.newschoolpolitics.com/?p=29#comment-18 In your "blog" you pointed out the shortcomings in a socialist system in Venezuela. However, Chavez, and the people of Venezuela may have some justification in his quest to even the power imbalance in the western hemisphere. It was not long ago that Venezuela was a spanish colony, subjugated to many of the same situations as the 13 colonies. Once it fought for its independence from the yolk of bondage, it was immediately exploited by capitalist interests when it was weak and unable to maintain the best interests of itself. No doubt, even in the infancy of the twentieth century was Venezuala "raped and pillaged" by American businessmen. Theodore Roosevelt, god bless his soul, championed a policy of being south america's police, there to look over our little brown friends. It is no wonder then that the majority of South American's have come to have a distaste for the United States, yet very few ask why this has happened. It is no surprise then, that the Venezuelans would vote into power a man that has sworn to make life very difficult for American capitalists, nationalizing energy conglomerates, a man who claims to champion the rights of the poor. Once exploited for their natural resource capabilities, Hugo Chavez has now made dealings with the likes of Iran in order to flex his petrol muscles. It is no surprise either, that Hugo Chavez champions Socialism. The ill-educated, poor, disillusioned people of the countryside are fed up of obeying right wing, puppet regimes who are at the beck and call of American interests. In fact, this trend is occuring in much of South America (Bolivia, Ecuador) These farmers and uneducated folk wish to bask in promised prosperity offered by Chavez. He was elected by a democratic process, and thus should have every right to be their leader, whether it suits the interests of the United States or not. We champion democracy, and we must support democracy at all costs. If not, the outcome is usually disastrous in the long term. For example, the US government's support of the Shah in the 1950's only led to the Islamic Revolution in the 1970's. In conclusion, many Americans only view the immediate situation, but do not take into account the reasons why those situations have come about. It is necessary that American foreign policy respect the democratic processes of foreign nations, and not have a double standard. For if we don't, we're really only as good as our "enemies", who as Ryan feared in his essay, (Hugo) may take over forcefully. Thus, to have a successful outcome to this situation, we must try to foster a healthy relationship between our two countries, encouraging economic symbiosis. To ensure our well-being down the line, it is imperative that we not do what is best for our monied interests, but what is also best for the common people (education), who are the ones who give power to men as Chavez. Only then, when people are educated and prosperous will they know better the shortcomings of full blown socialism, and see the light in capitalism. In your “blog” you pointed out the shortcomings in a socialist system in Venezuela. However, Chavez, and the people of Venezuela may have some justification in his quest to even the power imbalance in the western hemisphere. It was not long ago that Venezuela was a spanish colony, subjugated to many of the same situations as the 13 colonies. Once it fought for its independence from the yolk of bondage, it was immediately exploited by capitalist interests when it was weak and unable to maintain the best interests of itself. No doubt, even in the infancy of the twentieth century was Venezuala “raped and pillaged” by American businessmen. Theodore Roosevelt, god bless his soul, championed a policy of being south america’s police, there to look over our little brown friends. It is no wonder then that the majority of South American’s have come to have a distaste for the United States, yet very few ask why this has happened. It is no surprise then, that the Venezuelans would vote into power a man that has sworn to make life very difficult for American capitalists, nationalizing energy conglomerates, a man who claims to champion the rights of the poor. Once exploited for their natural resource capabilities, Hugo Chavez has now made dealings with the likes of Iran in order to flex his petrol muscles. It is no surprise either, that Hugo Chavez champions Socialism. The ill-educated, poor, disillusioned people of the countryside are fed up of obeying right wing, puppet regimes who are at the beck and call of American interests. In fact, this trend is occuring in much of South America (Bolivia, Ecuador) These farmers and uneducated folk wish to bask in promised prosperity offered by Chavez. He was elected by a democratic process, and thus should have every right to be their leader, whether it suits the interests of the United States or not. We champion democracy, and we must support democracy at all costs. If not, the outcome is usually disastrous in the long term. For example, the US government’s support of the Shah in the 1950’s only led to the Islamic Revolution in the 1970’s. In conclusion, many Americans only view the immediate situation, but do not take into account the reasons why those situations have come about. It is necessary that American foreign policy respect the democratic processes of foreign nations, and not have a double standard. For if we don’t, we’re really only as good as our “enemies”, who as Ryan feared in his essay, (Hugo) may take over forcefully.
Thus, to have a successful outcome to this situation, we must try to foster a healthy relationship between our two countries, encouraging economic symbiosis. To ensure our well-being down the line, it is imperative that we not do what is best for our monied interests, but what is also best for the common people (education), who are the ones who give power to men as Chavez. Only then, when people are educated and prosperous will they know better the shortcomings of full blown socialism, and see the light in capitalism.

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