The evidence of the last century is that (a) a majority for socialism cannot be built within a bourgeois democracy and (b) that even if such appeared imminent, it would not be allowed to assume power. So we are in the realm of idle fantsizing here.
^^^^^^^ CB: It would seem that the Bolivarians (as radical leftists, slightly veiled socialists) have gone further than any efforts in the 20st Century.
They achieved state power through a bourgeois election, and then, with armed and conscious masses, beat off the inevitable counter-radical-reform coup, . They have done this in practice, not just theory. Why shouldn't they consider their situation concretely relative to the 20 Century negative results, and with optimism of the will struggle for a novel path to socialism ? Their efforts have been an inspiration for other South Ameican leftists to win bourgeois democratic elections as well.
In this regard, the South American countries' histories as neo-colonies may be a critical difference from the bourgeois democracies of the imperialist centers: pace Brenner and Woods.