[Marxism] NO wins venezuelan referendum

[Louis Proyect]

Pieinsky wrote:
> That's very disappointing.  I look forward to hearing what comrades in 
> Venezuela and elsewhere  have to say. 

A revolutionary process does not proceed on a unilinear path toward 
victory. There were numerous times in the Cuban revolution when a 
contingent event could have wiped out the revolution, most particularly 
at the landing of Granma.

Also, I would not characterize the Bolivarian revolution as "electoral" 
in nature even though elections are an important part of it. It is 
deeply reliant on popular power at the grass roots level, just as was 
the case in Allende's Chile. The key difference between Allende and 
Chavez is that he has the determination to face down the capitalist class.

If this reversal has the effect of firming up the Socialist Party in 
Venezuela and preparing for the next presidential election with someone 
who can carry forward the Bolivarian vision then yesterday's vote will 
not have been in vain.