The Real News Network has the video Left Media Coverage of Venezuela Questioned (1/7).

Prominent Venezuelan sociologist and intellectual Edgardo Lander says while it’s correct to oppose U.S. intervention and interference, Left media should not minimize the responsibility of the Maduro government for the economic crisis.

A very important discussion has been started here in the first part of the seven part episode. The application to Socialism in the USA is extremely pertinent. I don’t consider myself a socialist nor a capitalist. I call myself a “what worksist”. If we cannot look at various parts of our society to talk about what works and what doesn’t, then we are foregoing some of the opportunities to make the society work better for more people.

Some people might miss the point that some government sector capitalism is not the only alternative to private sector capitalism. Prof. Lander made clear what Venezuela and Cuba did well, and what did not work so well. Of course the USA interference made things much harder, but that is no excuse for refusing to look at what the Chavista movement could have done better even under the circumstances of USA interference. This is the first criticism from the left that I have heard that is specific about what Chavez and Maduro could have done better. I anxiously await the next 6 parts. People who favor some more democratic socialism in the USA should take to heart the lessons that Prof. Lander is trying to teach.