When I read the news about Venezuela from the outside world, the opposition is often referred to as "the middle class opposition". When the history of my country is debated, the "Bolivarian Revolution" is referred to as a "populist revolution" a revolution of the lower classes. In a country where there is only two true sides, where pray, is the upper class?
We all like to root for the little guy. We cheer when Jerry tricks Tom. We feel hope when David defeats Goliath. It means that no matter who we are we can overcome the tyrant. It makes us feel like our situation is never truly hopeless. No matter who we are, how well off we are; when we tell that story, we are all David.
When we say that the "revolution" is of the lower classes, it is saying that they are the little guy. They are David, which they are. "Lower" is below "middle" so that must mean the opposition is "Goliath"... right?
The Venezuelan economy has shifted enormously since Chavez came to power, but one thing has never really changed: the vast, overwhelming majority of the country's wealth is in oil. what has changed is who controls the oil.
The government controls the oil. All of its wealth is now for them to distribute. since Chavez took power there has been some decline in total poverty, there has been social investment in housing and other social projects to benefit the poor.
So, that's great right? well, yeah, that is great. Only there's a lot of money in oil.
So, back to the start. Where is the upper class?
Let me draw you a picture..
Its called corruption... look it up.
Venezuela has a new royalty, a new Goliath. one who has convinced much of the world that its only looking out for Davids best interests.
The protests are not against "David", they're not against the impoverished lower classes who looked to their new Goliath to help them out of the squalor of their lives.
Yes it is the middle classes (mostly, not only) who protest for change in Venezuela. but the change they seek is not solely for their benefit. Scarcity, devaluation and crime affect all of Venezuela, in fact as with almost anything it affects the poor more. We're all too busy thinking about David and Goliath to see that this isn't about the little guy finally having a say and overcoming his rich oppressors. Right now all the people of Venezuela are the little guy; the split is between those who can see it, and those who have been so indoctrinated by 15 years of ever increasing propaganda into believing that there is a light at the end of the tunnel if they can just keep the revolution going. Now that that indoctrination has really taken hold it doesn't seem to matter that Goliath has removed his mask and shown himself for the oppressive, violent giant that he is; David still cant see it.
The rest of the world should be able to see it though. And remember, once we get David back on side all it will take is a single stone and a slingshot.
Just a thought.
No comments:
Post a Comment