Development and Venezuela - A Story
April 23, 2007
By Saikat Bandyopadhyay, Sanhati - Coutesy Rowak
This essay is a case-study of the nature of development in Venezuela, focussing on the protest of indigenous Wayu, Bari, and Yukpa people against coal mining in the state of Zulia. The issues raised by the opposing sides resonate with the current struggle in West Bengal. The author analyses the role of Hugo Chavez in this tussle, coming to the conclusion that ” Chavez is not claiming that there is only one way to development, and it is scientifically known. He is not prescribing Fukuyama-esque truths, rather he is entering into dialogue, and learning. It is those who have made a spectacle of him at Rabindra Sarobar, adoring him with packed houses, that have learnt their trade from M.T.V. They have learnt how to abstract away the politics, and make lifeless icons for their sordid carnivals and their voting industry, icons who will perhaps soon grace their T-shirts…”
Click to read essay [Bengali, PDF, 7 pages]