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Originally Posted by Bnks
OK, let's go back to high school civics (have you had a civics class before?)
Modern democracy involves:
1) Majority rule
2) Minority rights
3) Popular sovereignty
4) Some basic civil rights and civil liberties would also help.
Maybe Chavez succeeds on #1 and #3 (though again, you
can't trust the vote), and he certainly fails on #2 and #4.
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Chavez is the hero of the indigenous people, who have long been victimized by the minority. Its pretty weak to make an argument that because Chavez is trying to reverse a bit of that history he is somehow now violating minority rights. That is just ingenuous of you.
Venezuela does not have basic liberties?? what are you smoking....
im not claiming they have a perfect rights record by any stretch (most violations of which predate Chavez BTW), but to claim they dont have basic civil liberties is juts nonsensical.
So by your definition the USA, circa 1960, was not a democracy? In fact, democracy never even existed until women were enfranchised by your definition.
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But whatever, I'm not sure I should keep debating you, because you're going to believe what you want anyway. I gave you some more sources of Chavez's clear authoritarianism, but I think it's in vain.
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Keep trying. I'm honest and genuine enough to let people know when they have bested me in an argument. You have not even come close to presenting solid evidence that Chavez has authoritarian designs on the Venezuelan democracy. Like i already said, he has done nothing without popular support and a mandate from the people. His response to the loss of his referendum should really lay to rest any doubts that Chavez is not respectful of democracy.
Really, there is a stronger argument to be made that someone like George Bush is authoritarian, with all his corruption, signing statements, and seriously questionable election victories. But even i won;t make that argument, although it is more convincing than anything you have presented about Chavez.
Andrew