Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Hugo Chavez
Hey guys. I noticed no one posted about Hugo Chavez's death in Venezuela today. It will be interesting to follow the political/economic implications following this since socialism isn't that deeply entrenched in Venezuela, and also because Chavez was a key leader promoting the spread of socialism in Latin America. Additionally many leftist countries depend heavily on Venezuela, including Cuba (who gives Venezuela doctors in exchange for oil) and Bolivia, Ecuador, Nicaragua and Honduras (who receive lots of foreign aid from Venezuela.. which is, of course, funded by oil revenue.) It will be interesting to see if Chavez's successor follows in his footsteps as an active supporter of the growing leftist movement. This could also be a potentially crucial political moment for the west to get on good terms with the new leader.
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I honestly did not know much about Hugo Chavez and now after this post, I understand more clearly the implications of his death. Being a socialist revolutionary, Chavez's death leaves the nation completely divided, between socialist supporters and socialist opposers. His revolutionary ways are seen even in death. I found it to be intense that supporters were burning university mattresses at his death; surely, there is interesting and hopefully peaceful outcome to this nation in transition who just lost their leader. Finally, I am so glad this was posted because it does affect the United States, with Hugo having lead with a hope of less US influence, as well as Venezula being such a big oil provider for the United States.
ReplyDeleteHugo Chavez's death, and the emergence of a new leader, will definitely have a substantial impact on Venezuela as a country and could have an impact on the way in which Venezuela interacts with the international community. Chavez was starkly against free trade, yet decreased the unemployment rate in Venezuela. One supporter contended:
ReplyDelete"He stood up to the 'Washington Consensus,' an agreement between the political and business elite that American 'free trade' policies are the key to success. Ask Jamaicans, Colombians, Mexicans or even American victims of outsourcing how folks are faring since the institution of the North American Free Trade Agreement and 'shock therapies.'"
This is a great example of the effect the Washington Consensus has had on developing countries. Despite the fact that the Consensus was meant to liberalize countries to trade, it actually pushed some away from free trade.
Chavez will definitely remain an icon in Venezuela history because of all he provided his country. Venezuela will remain in the news because of everything going on with the oil industry.
ReplyDeleteI've been pretty interested myself of what a post-Chavez Venezuela will look like. Vice president Maduro may have been hand picked by Chavez to take over, but there is little chance that he has even half of the charisma that the presidente possessed. I mean what is more populist than a president shredding on a fender at a campaign rally (http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2013/03/05/adios_presidente_hugo_chavez_death_venezuela#19).
ReplyDeleteDespite this power vacuum though, Jennifer Cyr of MonkeyCage is skeptical that a big shift from the status quo will happen anytime in the immediate future. With the popular social programs he enacted, the electorally rigged districts, and a fairly divided opposition party, we will most likely more of the same from Venezuela...minus the sweet guitar licks.
With Chavez gone, Let's hope that Socialism in Venezuela become history and not the future. Churchill had some very good points!
ReplyDeleteThe inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of blessings; the inherent virtue of socialism is the equal sharing of miseries.
Winston Churchill
and...
Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery.
Winston Churchill
Many people generalize Chavez by saying that he hated America. He didn't hate America, but he had a huge amount of dissidence for the CIA, George Bush, and all of the efforts and money that go into trying to take down the leftist government in Venezuela. It is also contentious that Venezuela has a large amount of oil that the U.S. would love to tap.
ReplyDeleteThough Chavez's disposition towards Obama was much more positive than it was for Bush; I hope that Chavez' predecessor is more agreeable with the U.S.. Yes, Chavez may have had some ground, but I'm an American citizen, I don't want any national leader against the U.S.
Does this fall under nationalism?