New Socialism, Socialism, Socialism

I am convinced, and I think that this conviction will be for the rest of my life, that the path to a new, better and possible world, is not capitalism, the path is socialism, that is the path: socialism, socialism”.

Hugo Chavez, February 2005-From a speech on his weekly TV show “Alo Presidente”

Socialism, Socialism, Socialism.

What is socialism?

socialism. (n.d.). The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition. Retrieved November 30, 2007, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/socialism

An economic system in which the production and distribution of goods are controlled substantially by the government rather than by private enterprise, and in which cooperation rather than competition guides economic activity. There are many varieties of socialism. Some socialists tolerate capitalism, as long as the government maintains the dominant influence over the economy; others insist on an abolition of private enterprise. All communists are socialists, but not all socialists are communists.

Personally, I distrust the sound of a “New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy”. Cultural literacy sounds like an effort to be politically correct, an effort to not offend anyone. Actually though, in this case, that is exactly what I was looking for; a more forgiving, tolerant definition of socialism. More traditional definitions don’t have anything about “many varieties of socialism. Some socialists tolerate capitalism”, or “All communists are socialists, but not all socialists are communists”. Most traditional definitions cite Marxist-Lenin theory and describe socialism as a “stage” between capitalism and communism.

Hugo Chavez calls his brand a “new socialism”. Clearly though, he is not talking about a socialism that tolerates capitalism.

“I have said it already, I am convinced that the way to build a new and better world is not capitalism. Capitalism leads us straight to hell.”

Hugo Chavez, February 2005-From a speech on his weekly TV show “Alo Presidente”

Socialism, Socialism, Socialism.

It occurs to me that it always seems that these guys that profess to bring forth some type of system in which the power over the production and distribution and goods, media, and property rights will reside with the government (power to the people), always seem to have huge egos. They have no problem with their image being plastered everywhere, as a symbol to remind the people of their benevolence. Invariably, this sort of thing turns into inadvertent parody.

Socialism, Socialism, Socialism.

Hugo has been talking about his “new socialism” for a couple of years at least. Along the way, he has done some things that have the appearance of old socialism. Like, silencing opposition views by taking control of the local media.

Once again, this move seems to possibly be born of ego. On one hand, Chavez has complete control of the message that is seen by the people of Venezuela. On the other hand, if you want to piss people off; start screwing with their TV. Taking control of the media seemed to maybe put a chink in Chavez’ armor.

Socialism, Socialism, Socialism.

Now we are at the point that Hugo has unveiled his “new socialism”. The referendum is scheduled to be voted on this Sunday. Once again, ego seems to have clouded Hugo’s judgment.

This is from a Breitbart/AP story entitled “Venezuelans Protest Chavez’s Referendum”.

Tens of thousands of people flooded the streets of the capital Thursday to oppose a referendum that would eliminate term limits for President Hugo Chavez and help him establish a socialist state in Venezuela.

Blowing whistles, waving placards and shouting “Not like this!” the marchers carried Venezuelan flags and dressed in blue—the chosen color of the opposition—as they streamed along Bolivar Avenue…..

The rally marked the close of the opposition’s campaign against the proposed constitutional changes, which will be submitted to a vote Sunday. Chavez plans to lead rallies in favor of the reforms Friday.

Venezuelans will vote on 69 proposed changes to nation’s 1999 constitution that would, among other things, eliminate presidential term limits, create forms of communal property and give greater power to the presidency.

Chavez denies that the proposals are a bid to seize unchecked power, saying the constitutional overhaul is necessary to give more of a voice to the people through community-based councils.

Hugo may be going for too big a bite here. The deal is all or nothing. You either vote for all of the 69 proposed changes or, against all of them. You can have your re-distribution of the oil money wealth, if you want it, but, along with that you give Chavez a great deal of the power that his ego seeks. It appears that what is new about this “new socialism” is the bypass of the socialist “stage” of the Marx-Lenin theory and instead, a hasty transition to communism. At least in some Venezuelans eyes.

Again from Breitbart/AP

“This is a movement by those of us who oppose a change to this country’s way of life, because what (the referendum) aims to do is impose totalitarianism,” said former lawmaker Elias Matta. “There can’t be a communist Venezuela, and that’s why our society is reacting this way.”

I’m not bold enough to make a prediction on what happens with this referendum on Sunday. Here’s why; Chavez controls the media and he already has too much power. How tough would it be for this guy to rig a vote? That may be, as I wrote the other day, why he is suing CNN and “often denounces plots to kill him”. He may be more worried about assassination or a coup than a political process.

However it goes down, If Chavez fails, it will be due to his ego.

Is that “new socialism” or, is this something we’ve seen before?