THE question whether democracy can exist in a socialist system is an old one. But it again occurred to me when reading an analysis of Venezuelan politics in the most recent edition of the mostly well-informed British news magazine The Economist.
The magazine (although, to be precise, it calls itself a “newspaper”) drew attention to President Nicolás Maduro’s onslaught against the remnants of democracy in his country. For instance, the mayor of the capital, Caracas, Antonio Ledezma, was recently arrested for leading public demonstrations against the government, something which according to Maduro was tantamount to plotting his overthrow.
And several opposition members of parliament were expelled from the body after protesting against corruption and mismanagement.