Promising start for Chavez?

[Alexandre Fenelon]

At 13:27 01/08/99 -0400, you wrote:
>>From El Pais
>
>http://www.elpais.es/p/d/19990801/internac/proyecto.htm
>
>>From Chavez' constitutional draft:
>
>"El Estado elabora y ejecuta el plan de desarrollo
>de la economía nacional, conjuntamente con los trabajadores y
>empresarios honestos, responsables y productivos que
>participan en el proceso del desarrollo de las fuerzas
>productivas nacionales, de manera que se asegure un correcto
>equilibrio entre la acumulación y el consumo"
>
>"The state elaborates and executes the development plan for the national
>economy, together with workers and those businesmen who are honest,
>responsible and productive, who participate in the devlopment of the
>national productive forces, so that a correct balance between
>accumulation and consumption is assured"
>
> En tal virtud, queda terminantemente
> prohibida la usura, la indebida elevación de los precios y
> todo tipo de maniobras que atenten contra la pulcritud de la
> libre competencia, el abastecimiento vital de la República y
> el desarrollo de las fuerzas productivas nacionales
>
>"Accordingly, usury is absolutely prohibited, as are undue price rises
>and any actions that threaten clean, free competition, the vital
>suypplies of the Republic, and the development of the nation's
>productive forces"
>
>"Se considera traidor a la patria al venezolano que
> incurra en alguna de estas prácticas o que, generando recursos
> en el país, no reinvierta sus ganancias en el territorio nacional
>para favorecer el desarrollo de las fuerzas productivas"
>
>"A Venezuelan who engages in any of the above activities or who, having
>generated resources from the country, does not reinvest his profits in
>it in order to develop its prodcutive forces, will be considered a
>traitor to his country"
>
>Vague stuff, but a definite break with neoliberal discourse. Any
>thoughts?
>
>Enrique
>
Well, it is better than nothing. As Latin American , I welcome this kind
of opposition to neoliberalism, but we must remember that Hugo Chávez is
not a socialist, being instead a kind of nationalist populist. I have 
serious doubts if he can build an alternative to the neoliberal policies
that are devastating our countries. Good luck to him.

                                        Alexandre Fenelon