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,
michael
At 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
___
Marxism mailing list
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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
