Keyword: democratic socialism

Chavismo on the Horns of a Dilemma: Populism and Pragmatism in Venezuela

Picture: A picture of the immensely popular late Venezuelan president, Hugo Chavez, held aloft by his supporters, courtesy The Times. Steve Ellner - Leftists in Venezuela put forward a number of different explanations for the pressing economic difficulties and growing discontent that beset the nation and increase the possibility of an opposition takeover of the National Assembly in this year’s elections. High on list of explanations is an unfavourable comparison between the charisma and political acumen of Hugo Chávez and the inferior leadership qualities of his successor, President Nicolás Maduro. (This same line of...

Howard Zinn on his Philosophy: Democratic Socialism

Howard Zinn was a giant on the American left and best known for his 1980 non-fiction novel, "A People's History of the United States," which rewrote American history from the perspective of the poor and dispossessed. The dissident author and political activist died on 27 January 2010 at the age of 87. His book was made into a documentary, "The People Speak," by well known actor Matt Damon (executive producer) and debuted on the History Channel in December 2009....