Poverty in socialism

[Bacchus4.0]

http://www.eluniversal.com/economia/150307/poverty-in-socialism



Two years into the Nicolás Maduro administration poverty in Venezuela has increased by at least 33.02%. Researchers have identified the economic recession of the past two years, inflation, shortages of consumer goods and falling oil prices as key factors contributing to this new cycle of poverty.

The variables reflecting the downturn are included in a recently released study conducted by Andrés Bello Catholic University, Central University of Venezuela, and Simón Bolívar University, entitled "Analysis of Living Conditions of the Venezuelan Population 2014". The study - which evaluated housing conditions, health, education, work, social programs and nutrition, among others used a social survey based on a sample of 1,500 households and fieldwork conducted from August through September 2014.

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According to España, the 33.02% segment of "recent poor" covers an important group of households that have entered that category because of a series of circumstances; i.e. their standards of living have fallen as a result of the economic crisis, but they could cease to be poor if a positive change occurred in the economy.

According to the study, the number of households in poverty went up from 45.8% in 1998 to 48.4% in 2014, which in absolute terms equals to 3,338,930 million households in poverty by income, of which 1.7 million live in extreme poverty and 1.8 million in non-extreme poverty.

[F4lconF16]

1. Quick point:

Remember that their government would be much more able to succeed if they weren't being assaulted economically by nations like the US, desparate to prevent socialism from taking a hold. It's something that's happened before many a time. This is why socialism can only succeed as an international movement of solidarity.

I read a really good article that went into it in depth, but I can't seem to find it. Sorry.

[Bacchus4.0]

2. I'll provide, by now, the standard answer to the "its the US's fault" accusation

The US is Venezuela's largest trading partner for exports AND imports. The US and Colombia are number's one and two respectively for providing food to Venezuela. (Note that these are the two countries that Ven blames most for their internal problems). The food imports are significant as they import over 70% of their food needs.

[F4lconF16]

4. Largest trading partner means nothing

Without more information. That could very well mean that the US simply has a huge economic advantage it can press, as Venezuela is so dependent on them, no?

But I digress. I don't know enough about the issue to take a strong stand one way or another. I will have to go research.

[Bacchus4.0]

7. Venezuela has a trade surplus with the US due to oil sales

The US, in large part, is providing financing for Venezuela through their state run oil company.

[hack89]

8. The root of their problem is moronic currency control policies

that have made it impossible for companies in VZ to get the dollars they need to purchase goods on the global market. Corruption and a non-diverse economy are huge factors but the biggest problem is a lack of dollars.

[Bacchus4.0]

3. nt

[On the Road]

5. For a Country with Venezuela's Resources

to be in this shape should be deeply shameful. Ten years everyone said that all Chavez's potential successors were ideologues who would not be able to run things. This seems to have come to pass.

[Bacchus4.0]

6. Inexcusable. Now its simply about retaining power by any means nt