Strange Thoughts: Il Duce for our times

[akaihyo]

I was reading about Hugo Chavez last night in the Economist and I finally realized who he reminded me of (no, not that fossil Fidel Castro) but rather Benito Mussolini.

Yes, Mussolini, only instead of International Communism, Chavez has US Imperialism as his bogeyman/personal nemesis/arch-villain. Mind you, I do not dislike all anti-Americanisms, some of them actually contain valid critiques of US attitudes and policies. Chavez, on the other hand, has moved far into the loony end of things (most recently accusing some of his own military of spying for the US) and he has recently threatened to nationalize the Venezuelan coffee industry. Chavez is convinced that his personal vision is the best for the world and is exporting his strange socialist- nationalist- activist- "anti-American" system around the world (though primarily to South America). And since much of the Venezuelan economy is based on oil and gas sales, he can afford to at the moment.

Chavez is fascinating to watch, but personally, I think that Mussolini was a snappier dresser . . .

Additional Information: Comments on the end of the World Social Forum hosted by Chavez.

Comments

[forvrin.livejournal.com]

That's an astute insight. Would that they share similar fates. :P

[cmccurry.livejournal.com]

From what I understand, there are quite a few Venezuelans who would be more than delighted to help that come to pass.