"Red Capitalism" Growing In Global Appeal

Image via WikipediaImage via Wikipedia- Google News-- Chinese Success Creates New Paradigm for Developing Nations

For years the prevailing model for growing the economies of developing countries was the Washington Consensus- brain-child of the Clinton Administration focused on creating dynamic regional and bi-lateral trade agreements to help bridge gaps in comparative advantage and lower protectionist trade barriers. In terms of maximizing the benefits of globalization for the United States and its most valued allies, both developed and developing nations, it was a very effective. However, many lesser developed nations have failed to find their niche in the global marketplace and have floundered for years, usually under political turmoil.

The unrelenting growth exhibited by the Chinese economy since opening its borders to the west has given the Chinese Communist Party immeasurable credibility in the eyes of developed and developing nations alike. The CCP's policy framework for building a 21st century economy under great demographic strain and a hostile political climate, otherwise known as "socialism with Chinese characteristics"-- but more aptly termed "Red Capitalism" by many China scholars-- has been embraced by many 3rd world states struggling to feed their people.

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China and Venezuela Get Cozy

Associated Press Business News: Venezuela Says China Backs U.N. Bid - MSN Money

China, Venezuela ink 8 agreements to boost bilateral ties

I have been totally caught off guard by the recent headlines coming out of Beijing, which is currently courting Hugo Chavez and his countries vast oil reserves using uncharacteristically audacious public diplomacy to emphatically embrace their lone legitimate Communist Ally. Several major agreements have been brokered recently which have clearly been launched with the intention of legitimizing the Venezuelan government as it aspires to bolster its regional and global profile. In addition to the recent announcement of support for Venezuela's bid for a seat on the UN Security Council, which is also supported by Moscow, the two Communist allies inked pacts on issues ranging from housing to oil. Chavez has declared that by 2009 China will receive 500,000 barrels of oil per day from his country, with that number reaching 1 million sometime next decade.

I don't see any reason why the US shouldn't support Venezuela's bid for a Security Council seat- for what better place is there to humble a spirited populist like Chavez. I would take John Bolton over Hugo Chavez in a cage fight (which is how I like to refer to Security Council sessions) any day.

Chavez has been emboldened by electoral victories and his government has made great efforts to brand itself recently as the most virulently anti-American in the western hemisphere, which has brought them the respect and financial incentives from the East, specifically Russia and China. Venezuelan oil ministers have recently threatened to cut-off shipment to the US if their is suspicion of subversive tactics by the CIA or any other US-backed anti-Communist activists in the country. Statistics for the first four months of 2006 put the total Venezuelan import figure at roughly 1.5 million barrels per day, which is far greater than Chavez has yet promised to Beijing, but that number is down from the 1.7 million barrels during the mid-1990's. If Caracas continues to divert exports typically bound for the US to Beijing, there will be a marked increase in the price of gasoline across the United States. I think the best policy would be for the US consumer to recognize the overtly hostile rhetoric of the Venezuelan President and make the conscious decision to not contribute to the coffers of a clearly irresponsible individual. CITGO is the Venezuelan state-owned oil company, and for this reason I never buy gasoline from a CITGO station. I call on all American's who care about the future of gas prices and the security of the US economy to join me in my boycott, and tell a friend.

Report: Legislation Could Stop Chinese Censorship - CIO News Alerts - Blog - CIO

Report: Legislation Could Stop Chinese Censorship - CIO News Alerts - Blog - CIO

I think the ideas put forth in this post on CIO magazine's blog, which entertain the possibility of legislation resticting US companies from self-censoring their content on their foreign based services, are very intriguing (as well as consistent with the principles of our foreign policy since the end of WWII- anti-Communist). However, I doubt Microsoft and Google are going to be thrilled about the possibility of being forced to shut down their entire Chinese operation. Can these companies, and the US market withstand the impact of a confrontation between Capitol Hill and Wall Street over the fate of the Chinese nation? Can the Chinese government justify its suppression of the freedom of information when the issue comes before the international media? There are hundreds, maybe thousands of possible outcomes of such a bold policy initiative in Washington- but I have to admit, there are a great many that could further the revolutionary objectives of true democrats around the world, all of whom see a bright future for a China freed of the crimson shroud cast by its draconian government. The Chinese are excused to govern their country as they wish, but the free world must stay united in the pursuit of a world united in adherence to the progression of democratic sovereignty in every country in the world. To fail to do so, would be a failure to safegaurd the legitimacy of our philosophy of government as it meets its most formidable foe since the annialation of the fascists in WWII.