by Gouda » Thu Feb 09, 2006 8:59 am
Well, it is always wise to be critical, to gain some perspective and keep our expectations in the temperate zone. Petras points out things we do need to be aware of, but I also think he is unclear about the politics at hand (or maybe I am). On the one hand, he wants to hold Morales accountable to a strict and absolute obeisance to his campaign promises, which is a vote for the democratic process. On the other hand, Petras implies that this process is incompatible with carrying out Morales' promises and serving his peoples' wishes, because there can be no room for compromise (which is in fact essential to democratic governance). I happen to think he ought to keep all his promises. <br><br>Now there is a wide array of South American governments on the left. All shapes, sizes, and degrees. Mexico will also come into the fold (Obrador). It may appear as if some kind of competition is being held to determine which left model will "succeed" (and thus, which will "fail"). The underworld's new kinder, gentler approach to the south? The government surviving with the greatest stability, economy, and mutually-assured existence with the stateless oligarchy is the winner and model to emulate elsewhere. For the less-conspiratorially minded, it is a wait-and-see posture, with results to be exploited. <br><br>Or maybe South America has something up their sleeve this time and are about to put one over on the North. Why not. Recent history may make this assertion difficult to entertain, but should we always automatically default to the superiority of northern corporate-intelligence machinations? I would not rule out the possibility the South has a little surprise in store. <br> <p></p><i></i>