Against the crisis of the above, organization and action from below
El Libertario | 06.04.2009 10:19 | Analysis
All the fairly rigorous analysts agree in the high vulnerability of the Venezuelan economy to face the consequences of the global economic crisis.
Against the crisis of the above, organization and action from below
By El Libertario
All the fairly rigorous analysts agree in the high vulnerability of the Venezuelan economy to face the consequences of the global economic crisis.
The obvious question is: Why our country is one of the most affected by the predicaments of the global capitalist system, if we have a decade building the so-called "socialism of the XXI century”?
The answer, in turn, is simple: because, contradicting speeches and shows, the "socialism of the XXI century” has not walked in a different direction from the economic globalization that has prevailed in the last two decades on the planet.
Indeed, Venezuela has deepened the role assigned by the flow of capital: the sale, in a "safe and reliable" way, of energy inputs to international markets.
In this way the country has further increased its dependence on the foreign consumption of our oil, foundation of the industrialization and development that has brought the global capitalist architecture after the Second World War.
That is why in this state revitalization of the mining extraction, the incendiary proclamations about the promotion of an “endogenous” economy have shown the usual and known results, being let as folk anecdotes for the amusement of the population.
It is well known that whenever the government declares boosting "food sovereignty", increases the amount of imported food; whose subsidy is only possible by oil revenues.
After having the greatest economic boom of the past three decades, and have the control of virtually the entire apparatus of political and state institutions, the Venezuelan government has been unable to promote structural changes to deserve a "positive" as an adjective, as well as to raise significantly (and not only via consumption, which as we know is a capitalist indicator), the quality of life of the majority.
As an extension of the defects of representative democracy, and not as a break, the existing Chavismo repeated one after the other the perversions of previous administrations in times of fiscal bonanza: the orchestration of an extensive patronage and populist network, the growth of the institutional bureaucratic apparatus, the sudden and grotesque enrichment of a new bureaucracy in power and the promotion of corruption at all levels on public administrations. And it is now, in times of “lean”, which will weight all the excesses of the types of ex-major Juan Barreto, and ex-governor Diosdado Cabello, which under the red beret parasites and steal ministries and governorates.
As demonstrated by the pact between Chavez and Gustavo Cisneros, the crisis will place in the background the clashes between the powerful elite, whose will reconcile their interests so the trance can be paid by the ones below. The blurring of the polarizing show will provide an opportunity for the oppressed and downtrodden to recognize each other again fighting for our rights, without the mediation of the self-built media representatives.
In this required rebuilding of the social landscape, the antagonisms will be channelled to its real dimension: or we take rulers, employers and privileged, or we bet for those who have everything to gain.
In this context, the government conduct an aggressive advance to refine mechanisms of control over the society and increase its concentration of power. Taking advantage of the turmoil and uncertainty caused by the global economic debacle, the excuse of the crisis offers the government a unique opportunity to implement authoritarian and regressive measures in labour rights, social and political issues.
As mentioned above, the best way to stay focused and resists the shock as state policy, is to understand the nature and causes of what is happening to us. And in the case of Venezuela, is the depletion of a political model (the populist warlordism, the changes decreed from above), and an economic model (oil dependency), which being far from overcome it, it’s being oxygenate by the so-called "Bolivarian process."
However, this crossroads is also a chance for the real and deep transformation of our society. Where us the bottom ones leave aside providential leaders and shortcuts, to gradually build a broad social movement, autonomous, belligerent and popular, outside of all political parties and bodies of power. Disassembling one by one, the pseudo-revolutionary fallacies of the new state bureaucracy, while rejecting the influence and activities of political parties heirs of the past. Recognizing all the factors that limit our individual and collective exceedance, generating proposals, not to achieve power but for its dissolution in the social network. Promoting experiences and initiatives that will help to create, here and now, a different culture. Tending horizontal ties and bridges, with no coercions, in all sectors on fight.
Against the crisis of the above, mobilization and brotherhood of the below!
Caracas, March 2009
Periódico El Libertario
http://www.nodo50.org/ellibertario
Translation: Julio Pacheco
By El Libertario
All the fairly rigorous analysts agree in the high vulnerability of the Venezuelan economy to face the consequences of the global economic crisis.
The obvious question is: Why our country is one of the most affected by the predicaments of the global capitalist system, if we have a decade building the so-called "socialism of the XXI century”?
The answer, in turn, is simple: because, contradicting speeches and shows, the "socialism of the XXI century” has not walked in a different direction from the economic globalization that has prevailed in the last two decades on the planet.
Indeed, Venezuela has deepened the role assigned by the flow of capital: the sale, in a "safe and reliable" way, of energy inputs to international markets.
In this way the country has further increased its dependence on the foreign consumption of our oil, foundation of the industrialization and development that has brought the global capitalist architecture after the Second World War.
That is why in this state revitalization of the mining extraction, the incendiary proclamations about the promotion of an “endogenous” economy have shown the usual and known results, being let as folk anecdotes for the amusement of the population.
It is well known that whenever the government declares boosting "food sovereignty", increases the amount of imported food; whose subsidy is only possible by oil revenues.
After having the greatest economic boom of the past three decades, and have the control of virtually the entire apparatus of political and state institutions, the Venezuelan government has been unable to promote structural changes to deserve a "positive" as an adjective, as well as to raise significantly (and not only via consumption, which as we know is a capitalist indicator), the quality of life of the majority.
As an extension of the defects of representative democracy, and not as a break, the existing Chavismo repeated one after the other the perversions of previous administrations in times of fiscal bonanza: the orchestration of an extensive patronage and populist network, the growth of the institutional bureaucratic apparatus, the sudden and grotesque enrichment of a new bureaucracy in power and the promotion of corruption at all levels on public administrations. And it is now, in times of “lean”, which will weight all the excesses of the types of ex-major Juan Barreto, and ex-governor Diosdado Cabello, which under the red beret parasites and steal ministries and governorates.
As demonstrated by the pact between Chavez and Gustavo Cisneros, the crisis will place in the background the clashes between the powerful elite, whose will reconcile their interests so the trance can be paid by the ones below. The blurring of the polarizing show will provide an opportunity for the oppressed and downtrodden to recognize each other again fighting for our rights, without the mediation of the self-built media representatives.
In this required rebuilding of the social landscape, the antagonisms will be channelled to its real dimension: or we take rulers, employers and privileged, or we bet for those who have everything to gain.
In this context, the government conduct an aggressive advance to refine mechanisms of control over the society and increase its concentration of power. Taking advantage of the turmoil and uncertainty caused by the global economic debacle, the excuse of the crisis offers the government a unique opportunity to implement authoritarian and regressive measures in labour rights, social and political issues.
As mentioned above, the best way to stay focused and resists the shock as state policy, is to understand the nature and causes of what is happening to us. And in the case of Venezuela, is the depletion of a political model (the populist warlordism, the changes decreed from above), and an economic model (oil dependency), which being far from overcome it, it’s being oxygenate by the so-called "Bolivarian process."
However, this crossroads is also a chance for the real and deep transformation of our society. Where us the bottom ones leave aside providential leaders and shortcuts, to gradually build a broad social movement, autonomous, belligerent and popular, outside of all political parties and bodies of power. Disassembling one by one, the pseudo-revolutionary fallacies of the new state bureaucracy, while rejecting the influence and activities of political parties heirs of the past. Recognizing all the factors that limit our individual and collective exceedance, generating proposals, not to achieve power but for its dissolution in the social network. Promoting experiences and initiatives that will help to create, here and now, a different culture. Tending horizontal ties and bridges, with no coercions, in all sectors on fight.
Against the crisis of the above, mobilization and brotherhood of the below!
Caracas, March 2009
Periódico El Libertario
http://www.nodo50.org/ellibertario Translation: Julio Pacheco
El Libertario