Re: NACLA on RCTV

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

At 10:16 06/06/2007, jim wrote:

> Eric Biewener:
> > So the entire time I've been in Venezuela (2 months now), I've been
> > trying to figure out why the grocery stores I go to don't always have
> > chicken or beef.
>
> what an idiot! doesn't he know about the way in which price controls
> typically lead to such results? (is that the cause, Mike L?) didn't he
> look at other (non-price) rationing schemes that might be in place,
> insuring a fair distribution of meat? didn't he do some investigation?

Go to your copy of BIN, Jim--- where I note that, of course, all
other things equal, stuff like price controls do generate effects
like shortage. Of course, as I point out, when you are trying to
build a socialist society, all other things AREN'T equal; ie., the
state can intervene by expanding non-capitalist institutions, by
increasing supply in different ways. They are doing that--- importing
meat from brazil, etc via the state what they refuse to buy locally
at higher prices [to which the locals and their hired prize fighters
wail-- hey, why import and give money to the furreigners? We'll
supply you-- just raise the price]. Think class struggle.
Incidentally, a recent move is to require certificates that local
needs have been met before exports./m

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
http//:centrointernacionalmiranda.gob.ve
mlebowit@xxxxxx