Is it fair to say that Hugo Chavez is taking the Stalinist, Stage approach?

[marxistsocialist]

Hello all: I would like to know if Hugo Chavez and other social-democrat governments of Latin America are taking the Stalinist stage theory approach of gradually heading toward soialism by stages instead of violently like Karl Marx and Lenin wrote about.

I would like your personal views and opinion if its fair to say that Hugo Chavez is a Stalinist or Trotskist-Leninist-Marxist.  Because remember that according to real Marxists, socialism in 1 country would turn to a sort of mixed system of socialism and capitalism which is really state-capitalism. As opposed to the theory of Trotsky of waiting for the whole world to be socialist in order for socialism to work effeciently and scientifically

marxistsocialist

[P.O.U.M]

Well first off, Marx and Lenin didn't want violent revolutions. We're not violent people, however, we won't be undefended it attacked. The October Revolution was bloodless when the Soviets seized power. It was the capitalist counter reaction that through the country into the bloody civil war. That's what I mean by not being left undefended. If they are going to push us, we're not turning the other cheek. Gonna damn well push back.

Marx also raised the idea of revolutions being peaceful and democratic in the advanced countries in one article. It's a personal favorite of every social-democrat.

As far as Chavez being a Stalinist or Trotskyist, I would definitely say he is NOT a Stalinist. If he was, I think he would be parading around in the Communist Party. I might be mistaken, but I'm pretty sure Chavez has uttered the words "I am a Trotskyist." And I know he has read Trotsky and Trotskyist authors. But no, I do not think Chavez is following the stage theory. The stage theory basically says the proletariat should let the capitalists take the lead on the revolution, secure democratic rights and build up the economy to a respectable capitalist economy. Venezuela already is capitalist and has it's bourgeois law already. It's up to the people now to take over the running of society. Unfortunately, the bourgeois is still a big threat down there. The unions and parties and government are still full of careerists, bureaucrats,traitors, and full on liars. There's no big revolutionary party to guide the masses right now. The PUSV is a big step in the right direction. However, that party is still full of undesirables who would down play and side line the revolution. The people down below need to step up and throw them out.

And yes, socialism in one country is bad. Hopefully someone can elaborate on this more. I'm watching hockey and the F-bombs are gonna start flying every other word and my complete and utter contempt for a whole city.

[marxistsocialist]

P.O.M.: I am sorry but i didn't say that Marxists are violent people.  However there are many phrases where Marx, and Lenin advocated for a violent, bloody and stubborn revolutions in order to crush and smash the capitalist state

marxistsocialist

Well first off, Marx and Lenin didn't want violent revolutions. We're not violent people, however, we won't be undefended it attacked. The October Revolution was bloodless when the Soviets seized power. It was the capitalist counter reaction that through the country into the bloody civil war. That's what I mean by not being left undefended. If they are going to push us, we're not turning the other cheek. Gonna damn well push back.

Marx also raised the idea of revolutions being peaceful and democratic in the advanced countries in one article. It's a personal favorite of every social-democrat.

As far as Chavez being a Stalinist or Trotskyist, I would definitely say he is NOT a Stalinist. If he was, I think he would be parading around in the Communist Party. I might be mistaken, but I'm pretty sure Chavez has uttered the words "I am a Trotskyist." And I know he has read Trotsky and Trotskyist authors. But no, I do not think Chavez is following the stage theory. The stage theory basically says the proletariat should let the capitalists take the lead on the revolution, secure democratic rights and build up the economy to a respectable capitalist economy. Venezuela already is capitalist and has it's bourgeois law already. It's up to the people now to take over the running of society. Unfortunately, the bourgeois is still a big threat down there. The unions and parties and government are still full of careerists, bureaucrats,traitors, and full on liars. There's no big revolutionary party to guide the masses right now. The PUSV is a big step in the right direction. However, that party is still full of undesirables who would down play and side line the revolution. The people down below need to step up and throw them out.

And yes, socialism in one country is bad. Hopefully someone can elaborate on this more. I'm watching hockey and the F-bombs are gonna start flying every other word and my complete and utter contempt for a whole city.

[brayen]

I think that one day i heard him saying that his trotskyst and he will destroy bourgeoise class...so what do you thing ?

[Christopher Hill]

I think he has really created his own approach, he does not follow closely the doctrines of either Trotsky or Stalin.