Reply #32: Well, Chavez by his own words considers himself a democratic socialist [View All]

[Selatius]

I can't remember the particular news article, but he stated to the effect that socialism is the only way.

However, examining what he has done so far, yes, I agree he resembles a true social democrat, but if what he says is accurate, it's a phase as he would try to transition all the way from a mixed economy to a pure socialist one.

The only thing I may disagree with Chavez is over the role of the state in such an economy. I believe he's a form of reformist state socialist. I don't believe an entire economy could be run by a centralized decision-making structure, a bureaucracy, in the name of the people because history has taught me that a state, regardless if it's a dictatorship, an oligarchy, or a representative democracy often times behaves against the interests of the people. As a result, I feel the economic decisions must be made at the local or even regional level by the people directly, not at the national level by bureaucrats elected or unelected.