I'm no expert in Venezuelan history, but what were the conditions in Venezuela before socialism? What caused it to rise? Why didn't it hurt Bolivia in the same way?

Before I get flamed for even asking the questions, I'm no -ist. Not socialist, capitalist, communist, fascist.

They need to take the Chilean path.

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(03-17-2017 05:43 PM)MplsBison Wrote:  

(03-17-2017 04:56 PM)Bull_Is_Back Wrote:  MPLS might say "well we can't have arbitrary bread prices".

Bull might say "Praise be to the all-knowing Market! For this bag of $100 Doritos! The Market said so, so it must be! Can't question it!"

Supply vs Demand, or otherwise known as capitalism would solve such a market problem.

(03-17-2017 08:25 PM)Bull_Is_Back Wrote:  

(03-17-2017 05:43 PM)MplsBison Wrote:  

(03-17-2017 04:56 PM)Bull_Is_Back Wrote:  MPLS might say "well we can't have arbitrary bread prices".

Bull might say "Praise be to the all-knowing Market! For this bag of $100 Doritos! The Market said so, so it must be! Can't question it!"

The different is... You encourage the use of force to make people sell at a price you don't consider arbitrary, where as I would simply say "no thank you to 100$ Doritos".

Bingo was his name-o.

(03-17-2017 11:35 PM)Hood-rich Wrote:  They need to take the Chilean path.

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Damn straight.

To add: socialism in any form of state (left or right) creates a snowball affect and eventually turns into either facism or communism which both lead to police states and the violations of rights and freedom. Only place I consider socialism to work is in small communes, which often rely on the capitalism of selling goods due to the socialist nature of the state.

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(03-17-2017 11:27 PM)nomad2u2001 Wrote:  I'm no expert in Venezuelan history, but what were the conditions in Venezuela before socialism? What caused it to rise? Why didn't it hurt Bolivia in the same way?

Before I get flamed for even asking the questions, I'm no -ist. Not socialist, capitalist, communist, fascist.

I'm no expert either, but I'm pretty sure Venezuela has historically displayed many of the trademark characteristics of developing nations (regime instability, economic shocks, corruption) but has been bailed out yet simultaneously cursed by their oil reserves. The oil has provided access to a lot of wealth (limited by inefficiencies resulting from industry nationalization) over the years, but gave them an excuse to enact many government programs even before socialism, creating a political culture where government involvement was seen as okay. The rise of Chavez probably followed some kind of economic crisis in which public confidence in existing leadership collapsed, and promising free stuff to everyone sounded nice. When oil prices are sky-high you can get away with that even if you're living in relative poverty as a nation, but the last few years we've obviously seen that if demand vanishes you're really screwed.

I'm less familiar with Bolivia, but I'm pretty sure they haven't gone full-retard on socialism like Venezuela has. They're no hallmark of free market economics either, but IIRC they're relatively stable. Not having oil like Venezuela probably prevents them from even attempting such an ambitious state agenda.

I love the logic of the government. The answer to ending long bread lines is to make it illegal to stand in a line.