Re: [OPE-L] Query to John Holloway: What's your positionontheBolivarianrevolution?

[John Holloway <johnholloway@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dear Paul,

    Let me reply immediately just to apologise. My frivolous use of
Perplexed was not at all meant to be offensive and I am very sorry if it
caused offence.

    On the question of the article, let me read it more carefully and come
back to you on your questions.

    I recall our meeting at the CSE Conference some (many) years ago and
send you greetings,

    John

    





>> Dear Perplexed,
>> ...
>>     On Venezuela: of course I support very much the revolt (or revolts) in
>> that country. There is a long tradition of struggle and it was this struggle
>> that led to the election of Hugo Chávez. The interesting question is how to
>> understand the relation between the Chávez government and this struggle. I
>> assume that it is a very complex and contradictory relation, and it is one
>> that I would like to understand better.
>> 
>>     To reduce this complexity to a choice between the "Bolivarian
>> revolution" (a term which which defines the struggles in terms of the state)
>> and Modragon/Owenite experiments is absurd.
> 
> John, 
> 
> I asked for your reaction to the article below which criticizes your
> position.  The article extensively uses the Bolivarian Revolution and
> Chavez as a counter-example to your own position.  Is this not correct?
> 
> You don't answer the question asked, nor address the article.  Rather you
> refer to "complexities".  This is not helpful for understanding you.
> 
> The role of the State in Venezuela is important.  Is this State ipso facto
> reactionary, tending reactionary, tending progressive, progressive, etc.
> I.e., what is your understanding of the Venezuelan State under Chavez's
> leadership?  What is your theory of this State?
> 
> Paul
> 
> P.S. My name is not "Perplexed", rather I used that word before "Paul" as
> one might you the word "sorry".  I am puzzled why I should be called
> anything other than "Paul".  My question was not an offensive one.
> 
>>> Please refer to the article Jerry posted
>>> 
>>>   http://www.zmag.org/content/showarticle.cfm?SectionID=41&ItemID=7610
>>> 
>>> which mentions Venezuela extensively as a counter-example of your
>>> position.  I wonder what line you take in defensive of your own position.
>>> 
>>> Could it be that the Bolivarian revolution is worthless and/or
>>> meaningless for you?  Perhaps you only like Mondragon/Owenite-
>>> like experiments?  Perhaps not even those? ...
>>> 
>>> Perplexed, Paul Z.