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Editorial Commentary
Michael Rowan : The gathering storm
This is the obvious conclusion of the prestigious Pew World Survey of 46 countries, which included 803 interviews conducted in Venezuela last May with a margin of error of 3%. In the economic area, the survey found 79% in favor of trade, 74% saying foreign companies have a good impact on Venezuela, and 72% saying people are better off in a free market economy even though some wind up poor and others rich. Venezuela's 72% in favor of market economy was the highest percentage among the six Latin American populations interviewed. While the Chavez government is doing just the opposite in the economy, three out of four Venezuelans solidly favor globalization and free markets.
In the area of government, 55% say the government has too much control over the people, up from 39% in the 2002 survey. The reason people are leaving Venezuela is to find work (64%), for safety (16%), to escape political persecution (9%) or for education (5%). While the Chavez government claims that it has succeeded in reducing poverty, unemployment and illiteracy, the population does not agree.
In the area of democracy, 71% of Venezuelans believe the courts should treat all people the same but only 15% believe Venezuelan courts do that; 67% believe in honest multi-party elections but only 24% believe they exist in Venezuela; and 57% want media free of government censorship but only 16% believe that is the case in Venezuela today. While the Chavez government claims it is a true democracy, the population describes Venezuela as a dictatorship.
If they had to choose between a good democracy or a strong economy, 81% of Venezuelans choose a good democracy while 18% choose a strong economy. The democratic roots run deeper in Venezuela than the government recognizes. While the government claims it has shared oil wealth with the people, 70% of Venezuelans say prosperity is very important to them but only 21% say that Venezuela is prosperous. If Venezuelans had to choose, 84% would select democracy over 16% who select a strong leader to solve the country's problems. That finding flies in the face of allowing indefinite election of the president. It's obvious from these survey findings that Venezuelans don't agree with what Chavez is doing but are not saying so to his face.
Michael Rowan's column is published by El Universal ( Caracas) every Tuesday (michaelrowan22@gmail.com). Petroleumworld not necessarily share these views.
Editor's Note: This commentary was originally published by El Universal, Oct.23, 2007. Petroleumworld reprint this article in the interest of our readers. Petroleumworld not necessarily share these views.
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Petroleumworld News 10/26/07
Copyright© 2007 Michael Rowan. All rights reserved.
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