Debate: Should Hugo Chávez focus on the private sector more than social spending?

Should Hugo Chávez focus on the private sector more than social spending?

Background and Context of Debate:

Hugo Chavez Image: Agência Brasil

Would an increased motivation to succeed appear in a country with a larger private sector?

Yes

• The drive to succeed as an individual is the strongest motivating factor a human being can feel in their work. When work is uncoupled from reward, or when an artificial safety net provides a high standard of living for those who don’t work hard, society suffers. The fact that individuals are driven to succeed is in all our interests. This drive will be more prominent in a country wit a larger private sector.

No

• Many could be motivated to work by a wish to aid their fellow man. Over time, as the benefits of this better way of life become obvious, all will. The impulse to share wealth and material amongst the community, to support all, leaving none behind, is one of the purest mankind can experience. It is not merely possible – it is a demonstration of the progress of our species to a finer, more humane state of being. Increased private sector influence and less public jobs and industries will reduce the sharing of wealth.
• The experience of the USSR shows that mutual support helps to achieve outstanding results - it took USSR only 15 years to transform from agrarian country into an industrial one.

Is it possible that Chávez will consider greater private developent?

Yes

• Hugo Chávez has specifically stated that he supports capitalism. “Everyday I become more convinced, there is no doubt in my mind, as many intellectuals have said, that it is necessary to transcend capitalism. But capitalism can not be transcended through capitalism itself; it must be done through socialism, true socialism, with equality and justice. I’m also convinced that it is possible to do it under democracy, but not in the type of democracy being imposed by Washington. “Hugo Chávez during his closing speech at the World Social Forum in Porto Alegre, Brazil. January 31, 2005. [1]

• In the beginning of June, 2008, Hugo Chávez invited a handpicked group of captains of finance and industry to the presidential palace. He offered them cheap credit and joint ventures to “reactivate” production.

No

• The leader of a socialist party will not support private sector development. Hugo Chávez is currently the leader of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela. As increased private development is completely contrary to the principles of socialism, Chávez is incredibly unlikely to support greater private development.

• Chávez has specifically stated his opposition to privatization "Privatization is a neoliberal and imperialist plan. Health can’t be privatized because it is a fundamental human right, nor can education, water, electricity and other public services. They can’t be surrendered to private capital that denies the people from their rights." - Hugo Chávez during his closing speech at the World Social Forum in Porto Alegre, Brazil. January 31, 2005. [2]

Would privatization help Hugo Chávez to solve food problem?

Yes

• Private farming is more effective to deal with food problem. The Centre for Documentation and Analysis (CENDA) reports that staples such as black beans, rice, maize flour and meat were missing from the shelves of many shops in May. Butchers have staged protests, complaining that price controls oblige them to sell some cuts below cost. Governmental regulations on food production and import do not satisfy people's needs, due to the limited amount of food the prices are increasing. Therefore, private farming should be introduced in order to feed people.

No

• Private farming will make the food problem even worse.

Privatization of the agricultural sector of the economy will mean the absence of governmental price regulations. This can easily lead to incredible increase in prices for the main products, that will consequently make the population even poorer than it is now.

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