[Marxism] important development in venezuela

["michael a. lebowitz" <mlebowit@xxxxxx>]

I wrote the following on Thursday night to friends temporarily outside 
Venezuela who missed seeing (either in person or on tv) the event described:
> A pretty unbelievable event this afternoon and evening [just ended]. 
> There was a conference [in the industrial complex of Ciudad Guyana] on 
> the socialist transformation of basic industry... with workers tables 
> from the industries [steel, aluminum, etc]. Chavez spoke initially to 
> them by satellite from taking over some gas works in the east and then 
> came to hear reports from the workers tables. Incredibly militant 
> reports [10 tables] demanding workers control, getting rid of 
> capitalist managers, nationalise capitalist firms in the area, work 
> with communal councils, etc. One after another, same story, with some 
> variations [attack mafia]. Great cheers from all there. Chavez sat 
> there [accompanied by a number of ministers].... clapping politely. 
> [NB, one guy got up and quoted Maniero at the beginning of his reports 
> to say we are all equals here.] Then Chavez  spoke at the end. Began 
> slowly-- looked like he was treading water, thanking folks by name, 
> saying generalities and then suddenly it was Chavez Unleashed--- 
> calling for workers control, naming companies to be taken over, 
> calling for managers to be elected. Yes, we are all equals here. I 
> agree with what you have said-- how can you not have all the 
> information about your companies and make the decisions? We have tried 
> things that failed before because we didn't have the protagonism of 
> the workers. We have to go forward now. Revolutions go in steps. It is 
> Guyana's turn. You have to lead. And show the petroleum workers. Let 
> them compete with you. Well, you have to imagine the ecstasy in the 
> room--- people leaping up and cheering, chanting, hi-fiving, breaking 
> at one point into singing the national anthem, crying...Then Chavez 
> talked about we have to plan the transition and do it so we don't have 
> anarchy with different groups of workers wanting different things.
>
    You may have read some reports of this meeting--- stressing that 
Chavez has announced the nationalisation of firms in the area to create 
an integrated industrial complex. What you would miss from that is the 
most important part--- the reaction of the workers. You can see that 
from a video of a portion of Chavez's remarks that is now available 
online: http://www.aporrea.org/actualidad/n134881.html . Even if you 
understand no Spanish at all, you will understand the workers. You'll 
still miss something absolutely essential, though. Chavez's comments 
came after the reports from those worktables. And if all you get to see 
is Chavez's remarks, you can get the impression that they come from 
nowhere, that they are gifts from above--- rather than a response to the 
workers in report after report. If the whole meeting were available, you 
would see why Chavez could say there, "Me siento contento, porque veo, 
palpo y siento el rugido de la clase obrera. Cuando ruge la clase obrera 
la burgues?a tiembla."

       in solidarity,
       michael






-- 
Michael A. Lebowitz
Professor Emeritus
Economics Department
Simon Fraser University
Burnaby, B.C., Canada V5A 1S6

Director, Programme in 'Transformative Practice and Human Development'
Centro Internacional Miranda, P.H.
Residencias Anauco Suites, Parque Central, final Av. Bolivar
Caracas, Venezuela
fax: 0212 5768274/0212 5777231
www.centrointernacionalmiranda.gob.ve
mlebowit@xxxxxx


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