Archive of UserLand's first discussion group, started October 5, 1998.

Re: Last night's session

Author:Lance Knobel
Posted:8/31/2000; 3:06:12 AM
Topic:scriptingNews outline for 8/30/2000
Msg #:20567 (In response to 20566)
Prev/Next:20566 / 20568

I think calling Hugo Chavez communist is a distortion and over-simplification. He's in the Latin American tradition of charismatic, populist strongmen, generally with military backgrounds (like Chavez).

The economy is going to hell in a handbasket at the moment, thanks to declining investment and capital flight. But Chavez seems to remain hugely popular. An interesting left-wing journalist, Richard Gott, has written a book on Chavez, In the Shadow of the Liberator, which argues he is the most significant Latin American leader since Castro.

Gott may be a bit starry-eyed, but Chavez is certainly a fascinating phenomenon. You can read my review of the Gott book.

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