The is a fairly lengthy, highly intelligent critique of the progress of the Venezuelan Revolution. Alan Woods has spent a lot of time in Venezuela and is a friend of that revolution. But he, too, is becoming rather skeptical of, and concerned about, its continued progress toward removing the scourge of capitalism from the country.
If we wish to understand the reasons why people who support the Revolution abstain in elections (and this is a vital question for the future of the Revolution), we must begin here. When a Bolivarian worker sees that his wage is not enough to last to the end of the month, and that prices are rising, whereas the rich are getting richer, he begins to lose confidence in the Revolution. This is the fundamental question that needs to be addressed.The main problem I have with Marxists is that, although they always talk about democratic control, they too often in practice tend toward an elitist orientation, a "vanguard" type of leadership. I am much more of an anarchist in having all power based in small geographically organized groups. (See the "alternatives" in the upper right-hand corner of this blog.) Marxists have their place along with other politically informed people in a revolution as intellectuals whose ideas can influence actions, but the actions must stem from, and be controlled by, the base.
Because intellectuals and highly trained people have served such an important role to support capitalist enterprises, they, as a class, tend almost unconsciously to feel that they should be in charge of revolutions and society. It's almost like they feel a modern version of "Divine Right" to rule.
