In These Times

Having read Ellner’s article several times, I don’t think Brociner’s characterization of his writing as “simple-minded apologetics” is accurate. After all, anybody who writes “many Venezuelans.... chafe at some of the concrete results of his (Chavez’s) rule” (a sentence which ITT highlights on the side) can not be considered much of an apologist for Chavez. The same goes for his statement that the government’s failure to face the problem of shortages “does not speak well for the efficiency and administrative capacity of the Chavistas.” Ellner also makes reference to the increasing problem of lack of personal security and corruption among pro-Chavez …

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