Marxism (or socialism by any other name) will fail (is failing) for the simplest of reasons -- the vast majority of people like political freedom and economic prosperity. The tragedy, imo, is that this lesson has to be learned over and over by so many peoples in so many countries.
BTW, what's the latest news about the supposed referendum, which (supposedly) could be held as early as next August? Or, rather, what is Chavez' current tactic to forstall any such referendum? What is the condition of the opposition in Venezuala these days?
PS - I love your posts. You deserve a big THANK YOU from all us FReepers for your tireless work to bring us news from that troubled country.
Chávez is throwing up procedural roadblocks on the recall, just like everyone expected. The opposition is making inroads into Chavez's constituency, so he's started giving speeches again warning of a coup. That, along with Chavistas and the National Guard having a free hand to attack and disarm local police without consequence, as well as tortures, firings, arrests, murders of students, reporters, any opposition, he's pretty well stopped most mass demonstrations.