Ibsen Martinez at PostGlobal

Ibsen Martinez

Venezuela

Ibsen Martínez is a Venezuelan playwright and novelist. A former telenovela writer based in Caracas, he is now a freelance writer and regular contributor to a number of newspapers, magazines and websites in both Spanish and English. He writes a weekly column for the Caracas daily "Tal Cual." Spanish language newspapers such as Madrid's "El País" and "ABC" as well as Buenos Aires's "La Nación" run his articles on a regular basis. His essays on literary and political subjects have appeared in prestigious magazines such as "La Nouvelle Revue Françoise", Mexico's " Letras Libres", Washington's "Foreign Policy" and The Washington Post's "Outlook" magazine. He also writes a monthly column on Latin American economic issues for the Liberty Fund's website, "Econlib Library (www.econlib.org). Close.

Ibsen Martinez

Venezuela

Ibsen Martinez is a Venezuelan columnist, journalist, and award-winning playwright. more »

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November 2007 Archives



November 24, 2007 8:48 AM

Populism Won't Bring the Change We Want

Next year, on Thanksgiving Day, I dare to say that most people in our region would feel really grateful if they could just witness a true, significant reduction in poverty and political unrest. The current vociferous and predominant anti-globalization strain of Latin American populism has proved to be fruitless when it comes to creating jobs and opportunities.

Personally, I would feel grateful to see the "Chilean way" of attaining economic growth without hampering democracy and individual liberties prevail over the ultimately ineffective "Chavista model." As for our "gringo" neighbors, I sincerely hope that on next year's Thanksgiving Day Americans will once again exult in the idea of their country as the global beacon for anyone striving for an open and pluralistic society.


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