RE: [OPE] One party state?

> 2) This shows a lack of historical literacy. Democracy is not a European monopoly and we
> repeatedly find historical periods where European and North American countries equate to
> the more hostile developing dictatorships while, at the same time, we find developing
> countries fulfilling advanced democratic criteria. For example, [...] Chile between 1930
> and just after Pinochet in 1970s,
 
 
 
Alejandro:
 
 
While you are lecturing others on their lack of historical literacy, let's
remember that Pinochet was President of what has been called the junta government from
1973 to 1981, President of Chile from 1974 to 1990 and Commander-in-Chief of the Chilean
Army from 1973 to 1998. It is not surprising to me, though, that you are confused
concerning dates and events in Chile since a critical assessment of events that led
to the junta would undercut your abstract and naive ruminations conceptions about
democracy and show the need to contextualize the question of democratic forms in terms of
history, class, and international relations (and that includes imperialism).
 
> and Venezuela between 1958 and 1980s.

 
When there was a dictatorship of the bourgeoisie.
 
Now the bourgeoisie and their apologists view the country as less democratic because
their exclusive franchise over government policy has been ended. Nothing could be
more unjust and undemocratic to the elite than the prospect of the poor and working
class having more of a say in government policy than they do. It was the same
way in Cuba: the wealthy elite screamed and hollered about the alleged lack of
democracy when their wealth and power was taken away from them. Most tragically
and unfairly, their democratic rights to exploit the Cuban masses, live the lifestyle
of the rich and famous, and sell national resources and autonomy to multinational
corporations and foreign states was taken away from them.
 
In solidarity, Jerry_______________________________________________
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Received on Sun Jun 7 07:38:38 2009