Neither do failures of socialism diminish the zeal with which it is taught and worshipped and enshrined in universities. If one thinks that staunch neo-Marxists and socialists who cut their teeth on Foucault, Deleuze, Derrida, etc. are going to rethink their stance because of Venezuela, one is dreaming..
The hardcores won’t change, but mushy minds who have swallowed propaganda without knowing the whole truth can be enlightened.
You're right - it's always easier to recruit 'intellectuals' than real working men and women.