Chavez Reassures the Capitalist Class

[Morpheus]

Tariq Ali, writing on Counterpunch:

When I asked Chavez to explain his own philosophy, he
replied:

'I don't believe in the dogmatic postulates of Marxist
revolution. I don't accept that we are living in a
period of proletarian revolutions. All that must be
revised. Reality is telling us that every day. Are we
aiming in Venezuela today for the abolition of private
property or a classless society? I don't think so. But
if I'm told that because of that reality you can't do
anything to help the poor, the people who have made
this country rich through their labour and never
forget that some of it was slave labour, then I say
'We part company'. I will never accept that there can
be no redistribution of wealth in society. Our upper
classes don't even like paying taxes. That's one
reason they hate me. We said 'You must pay your
taxes'. I believe it's better to die in battle, rather
than hold aloft a very revolutionary and very pure
banner, and do nothing ... That position often strikes
me as very convenient, a good excuse ... Try and make
your revolution, go into combat, advance a little,
even if it's only a millimetre, in the right
direction, instead of dreaming about utopias.'

http://www.counterpunch.org/tariq08162004.html

* * *

Published on Sunday, August 22, 2004 by Reuters
My 'Revolution' Will Not Hurt You, Chavez Tells Foes
by Pascal Fletcher

CARACAS, Venezuela - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez
told his opponents on Sunday they should not fear his
left-wing "revolution" after his referendum win and
pledged to respect private wealth and fight
corruption.

While he offered a dialogue to foes who accepted his
victory in the Aug. 15 recall poll, Chavez said he
would ignore opposition leaders who refused to
recognize his mandate and urged other Latin American
leaders to ostracize them as well.

In a television broadcast, the populist leader sought
to dispel fears among rich and middle-class
Venezuelans that he planned to launch a fresh
ideological offensive against their status and
property.

"What we want is national unity ... this revolution
should not frighten anybody," Chavez said during his
weekly "Hello President" TV and radio show.

Opposition leaders say Chavez won the recall vote
through fraud by rigging voting machines, but
international observers found no evidence of cheating.

Venezuela has remained calm through the referendum,
but some opposition leaders have called for protests.
This has raised concerns of renewed conflict in the
world's No. 5 oil exporter, which has been bitterly
divided over Chavez's rule.

First elected in 1998, Chavez won 59 percent of the
referendum vote and will now serve until 2006
elections.

"All this stuff about Chavez and his hordes coming to
sweep away the rich, it's a lie," he said. "We have no
plan to hurt you. All your rights are guaranteed, you
who have large properties or luxury farms or cars."

[wet blanket]

I had a feeling he would puss out and start making compromises like this(though I was keeping my hopes up). Get ready for another EU, south american style.

[fernando]

Oh Latin America united...that would piss off the US, especially if they would be doing well

[socialistfuture]

well really what do u expect? him to say YES we want a total revolution and the abolishment of property? the rightwing would take up arms - with US funding.

maybe his revolution is slower - but it is making progress. he has my support so far and it is even democratic - if bloodshed can be avoided or minimal that is great! south america has had so much civil war and pain - it needs hope and change.

victory to the Bolivarian Revolucion!!! independence from US imperialism and an end to the rich ruling class - even if it takes time.

ps tariq ali kicks ass (yes that is him in my avatar)

[DaCuBaN]

Remember the words of another rather intelligent South American 'Leftist'

"We need a revolution of the mind"

Whilst this may seem loke a kop-out or compromise to any - which in many ways it is - this is not where we should be focusing: His intent here is clear, in that the wealth will be redistributed. It's a start

Chavez has popular support for now, and he'll be careful not to undermine this: At the same time he faces the task of revolutionising Venezualan society - that is, trying to oust the frame of mind that protects 'private property' and other relics of the capitalist era.

When dream becomes reality, compromise must be made with those who don't share the dream: Given time, the dream can be fully realised. I'm not saying to have faith in Chavez - For all I know he could be utterly corrupt - but we must accept that he is at least doing something tangible to change the fates of the venezualan - and hence south american - working classes.

[Daymare17]

It is ludicrous to think that a capitalist class can coexist peacefully with an aroused revolutionary working class. This kind of thinking has prevented the Venezuelan revolution from achieving victory and it will wreck it if it is allowed to continue.

The opposition and the imperialists have shown enough times that they have no intention of backing down. They will not rest until Chavez is out of power and the working class is demobilised. If someone is hitting you with a hammer then there's a good chance he'd hit you with a sledge if he had one. The opposition has carried out a god damn military coup. It is nothing short of criminal for some people on this forum to think that they can be soothed with promises and negotiations. It's necessary to expropriate them.

The wealth will be redistributed, yes, but do you really think that the capitalists and landlords will sit idly by and let their wealth be redistributed away from them?? Sheer reformist Utopia! Chavez is very confused but the decisive fact is the role of the masses. They believe in Chavez and so long as they are mobilised in his defence, the oligarchy can't do anything. But when they start to falter then there will immediately be a coup and a bloodbath.

[Dr. Rosenpenis]

Originally posted by wet [email protected] 5 2004, 04:11 AM
I had a feeling he would puss out and start making compromises like this(though I was keeping my hopes up). Get ready for another EU, south american style.
Uh, no.
They've already tried that with Mercolsur, a trade pact between Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, and Paraguay. It didn't work.