Roots of Progressive Development in Bolivia

[Leo]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...6052100426.html (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/21/AR2006052100426.html)

Reminds me of Lenin's NEP, this is going to make Morales even more popular among Bolivian peasants. Too bad for the imperialists, it seems like they are losing Bolivia for good :D . Of course, the development in Bolivia is objectively a capitalist one, but it is progress after all, and it is going to make the natives who celebrated the election of Morales in disbelief for weeks really happy. :)

[Ander]

So far, I like Morales, despite what many people are saying. I'm going to keep a close eye on him and really hope that he doesn't screw up, because that would mean dire consequences for him. Looking at this land redistribution, it appears to be a very good idea, as long as he only targets the corrupt landowners for now.

[More Fire for the People]

The problem with the NEP is that it was too popular with the wrong kind of peasants. Essentially, the NEP solidified kulak power, increased the number of kulaks, and didn't really help agricultural proletarians.

[bayano]

i dont think it can be characterized as strictly leninist. evo is not ignorant of history, and that the nep was instituted as a reform during and just after a horrible 'civil war' and counterrevolution was defeated. despite tremendous poverty and underdevelopment in bolivia, they are neither coming out of a stage of revolutionary authoritarianism nor are they coming out of a huge war. evo is trying to obey the popular movements, and for the most part he's dead-on, but while i know he studies leninism, it doesnt mean his actions or policies are directly analogous to lenin's

[Leo]

The problem with the NEP is that it was too popular with the wrong kind of peasants. Essentially, the NEP solidified kulak power, increased the number of kulaks, and didn't really help agricultural proletarians.

Well, that's what eventually happens when you distribute land to the peasantry, and what follows is an objectively capitalist development.


i dont think it can be characterized as strictly leninist. evo is not ignorant of history, and that the nep was instituted as a reform during and just after a horrible 'civil war' and counterrevolution was defeated. despite tremendous poverty and underdevelopment in bolivia, they are neither coming out of a stage of revolutionary authoritarianism nor are they coming out of a huge war. evo is trying to obey the popular movements, and for the most part he's dead-on, but while i know he studies leninism, it doesnt mean his actions or policies are directly analogous to lenin's

The situation in Russia was quite different when Lenin instituted NEP, he had to do it because he was losing the peasants, they were stopping sending supplies to urban areas. The urban proletarait was the group that was harmed by the NEP most. Same thing will happen in Bolivia, but it will probably take a long time because Bolivia is even less industrialized than revolutionary Russia. Evo's entire movement was based on land reform, a NEP like program, that was my point. I actually think I heard him saying that he 'didn't read Marx, Lenin and Trotsky' (If you don't know, Bolivia is one of the few places Trotskyism became a mass movement.)

[praxis1966]

Well, revolutionary critique aside, I always cheer when the landed aristocracy and industrial magnates (which, apparently are next on ol' Evo's list, ie nationalizing the natural gas industry) take in in the ass from a populist movement. Needless to say, I was happier than a pig in slop when I read about this the other day.

[IronColumn]

When Evo nationalizes the gas industries, all that means is that he renegotiates terms with the multinational corporations, so instead of pillaging the Bolivians they are merely profiting off them. He didn't take over the gas industries to the extent that would make him a radical in any sense of the word.

And Lenin? I would hope no one follows his fascist model of development-one party, one dictator, state run capitalism, massive secret police, disciplined workers, etc.
I really hope people realize that Lenin is on the right end of the spectrum and not on the left at all.

[Karl Marx's Camel]

Evo and his government I think is quite progressive. I don't see why there should be any leftist opposition against him.

[Rawthentic]

no, i agree , Morales should be applauded. But it is necessary to understand that this is no revolution. It is more a part of Latin America's age of reform which will indeed come out with a more stable proletariat and more class-conscious as well. I hope that Morales listens to the people he promised to help, like the peasants and the indigenous peoples. I also hope that he doesnt turn into another Chavez, authoritarian, big-mouthed fucker.