Hi Patrick,
I simply don't know. My sense is that his international priority
at this time is on strengthening a multi-polar alliance to give some space
in the context of the principal contradiction with US imperialism. (Things
could easily get overwhelming here.) Even if he makes some statements on
the debt, follow-through may take a lot. As for international policy
matters in general, a very large portion of the foreign ministry has
supported the opposition, and previous ministers have (for one reason or
another) not done much about this. The new minister, Ali Rodriguez (an
economist-- and former guerrilla-- who headed OPEC and more recently PDVSA)
, may make a significant difference.
Glad that you've got Greg there trying to nudge you folks to the
left. Anything happening these days with the SACP-COSATU part of the alliance?
in solidarity,
michaelAt 00:57 28/02/2005, you wrote:
Hi Michael, this is all extremely encouraging. We have Greg Albo touring South Africa this week speaking with enormous enthusiasm (and of course also rigour and caution) about Venezuela. However, this question emerges occasionally: when/would/might Chavez start invoking his left instincts in terms of international economic circuits, e.g. by questioning debt repayments on inherited illigitimate loans (instead of being a model debtor)? As you may recall, this time last year his rep to the IMF/WB voted for the appointment of Rodrigo de Rato.
Cheers, Patrick
----- Original Message ----- From: "michael a. lebowitz" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <pen-l@sus.csuchico.edu> Sent: Monday, February 28, 2005 5:52 AM Subject: [Marxism] chavez once again on building a 21st Century socialism
Chavez returned again on today's 'Alo Presidente' to his rejection of capitalism and to the question of building the socialism of the 21st Century, proposing that the current 'revolutionary democracy' (as exemplified by the land committees, the nuclei of endogenous development, the bolivarian schools, barrio al dentro, etc) is the instrument for constructing that new socialism. The most important new aspect of his remarks was his call for opening up discussion and debate about socialism--- especially calling upon his own party, the MVR (movement for the 5th republic) [a party with many factions] to begin such ideological discussions. You can hear his brief remarks (a very small part of a 6 hour or so programme which included discussions with Evo Morales, Shafik Handel and other visitors who had been in Venezuela for a conference on the social deficit/debt) on audio accompanying an article about this today on www.aporrea.org. Especially striking is his repetition, 'socialismo, socialismo...' and the response. The article seems to suggest, though, that he also talked about returning to the original democratic ideas of Marx and Engels but that's the writer's inference rather than Chavez's words. in solidarity, michael Michael A. Lebowitz Professor Emeritus Economics Department Simon Fraser University Burnaby, B.C., Canada V5A 1S6
Currently based in Venezuela. Can be reached at Residencias Anauco Suites Departamento 601 Parque Central, Zona Postal 1010, Oficina 1 Caracas, Venezuela (58-212) 573-4111 fax: (58-212) 573-7724
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Michael A. Lebowitz Professor Emeritus Economics Department Simon Fraser University Burnaby, B.C., Canada V5A 1S6
Currently based in Venezuela. Can be reached at Residencias Anauco Suites Departamento 601 Parque Central, Zona Postal 1010, Oficina 1 Caracas, Venezuela (58-212) 573-4111 fax: (58-212) 573-7724
