James Petras: President Hugo Chavez, A 21st Century

Renaissance Man. President Hugo Chavez was unique in multiple areas of political, social and economic life. He made significant contributions to the advancement of humanity. The depth, scope and popularity of his accomplishments, mark President Chavez as the Renaissance President of the 21st Century. Many writers have noted one or another of his historic contributions, highlighting his anti poverty legislation, his success in winning popular elections, with resounding majorities, and his promotion of universal, free public education and health coverage for all Venezuelans. In this essay, we will highlight the unique world historic contributions that President Chavez made in the spheres of political economy, ethics and international law, and in redefining relations between political leaders and citizens. We shall start with his enduring contribution to the development of civic culture in Venezuela and beyond. Hugo Chavez: The Great Teacher of Civic Values: From his first days in office, Chavez was engaged in transforming the constitutional order, so that political leaders and institutions would be more responsive to the popular electorate. Through his speeches, Chavez clearly and carefully informed the electorate of the measures and legislation to improve their livelihood. He invited comments and criticism. His style was to engage in constant dialogue, especially with the poor, the unemployed and the workers. Chavez was so successful in teaching civic responsibilities to the Venezuelan electorate, that millions of citizens from the slums of Caracas, rose up spontaneously to oust the US backed business military junta, which had kidnapped their president, and closed the legislature. Within seventy two hours record time, the civic minded citizens restored the democratic order, and the rule of law in Venezuela, thoroughly rejecting the mass medias defense of the coup plotters, and their brief authoritarian regime. Chavez, as all great educators, learned from this democratic intervention of the mass of citizens, that democracy is most effective, when defenders were found among the working people, and that its worst enemies were found in the business elites, and military officials linked to Miami and Washington. Chavez civic pedagogy emphasized the importance of the historical teachings and examples of founding fathers like Simon Bolivar, in establishing a national and Latin American identity.