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Originally Posted by MattLarson
Under the previous leaders, the country was either above the regional average HDI, or right at it.
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But they did not diversify the economy, allowing it to be effected heavily by swings in the oil price. And there has been political instability in Venezuela all the way through 2002. It seems to be stabilizing more now.
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Now, well below and the gap is widening.
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Id be interested to see how it appears at the end of 2013. I want to be fair and allow for the health and education improvements to realize their potential in other areas. Surely you must grant that basic health and education are necessary precursors to other gains in the development in society?
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Dictator or not (he's not right now, but give it a few years to see if he can emulate his hero Fidel), he's an assclown, and his people are suffering from the results of his poor leadership.
Matt
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I think you are overstating this a bit. There is no question the minority of wealthy people have "suffered", and there is no question average city dwellers are probably a bit worse off under Chavez reforms, (shed a tear for them if you like, i won't), but if you go out in the rural areas where the indigenous have truly realized suffering under imperialists, occupiers, and colonialists for centuries, you will see actual improvements in education, health, access to food, and access to clean drinking water.
Like i have always claimed in this discussion with you, i will be here to admit Chavez is a dictator, if and when that day comes.
Andrew