Capitalism: an antidote against poverty

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A supporter of Venezuelan opposition leader and self-proclaimed acting president Juan Guaido holds a sign reading "Starving" during a gathering in front of the Bolivian embassy in Caracas on November 16, 2019. - Venezuela's opposition called to protest against President Nicolas Maduroon Saturday, while the government also called on their own supporters to mobilize. (Photo by CRISTIAN HERNANDEZ / AFP) (Photo by CRISTIAN HERNANDEZ / AFP via Getty Images)

Editor's Note: Carlos Alberto Montaner is a writer and political analyst at CNN. His columns are published in dozens of newspapers in Spain, the United States and Latin America. Montaner is also vice president of the Liberal International. The opinions expressed in this column are exclusive to the author.

(CNN Spanish) - The "Center for the Disclosure of Economic Knowledge" (CEDICE), in Caracas, has just published and circulated an extraordinary book: Capitalism: an antidote to poverty.

The work was written by Argentina's Antonella Marty. The prologue is from the Venezuelan María Corina Machado and the conclusion is from the Guatemalan Gloria Álvarez. It has an introductory note from Rocío Guijarro, general manager of CEDICE.

What follows is a judgment of mine.

Venezuelans lived in democracy for 40 years, while they prospered and progressed.

In 1999, despite the difficulties, they had achieved one of the first economies in Latin America and had an immensely positive migration balance. Many Latin Americans and Europeans wanted to live and work in that country.

I suppose that this phenomenon is enough to judge the quality of the countries. Today millions of Venezuelans escape to other nations.

Why did Venezuelans surrender to Hugo Chávez and Nicolás Maduro?

For a very serious problem: ignorance. They did not realize what they had and what this book reveals. There is a clear way to achieve development: freedom. This implies the freedom to produce. The freedom to pursue your own goals. The freedom to live without fear of the thugs or a confiscatory State. The freedom to conduct lawful transactions.

This type of prosperous society is achieved with savings that generate consumption and investments that seek benefits and give jobs. It is achieved with social peace. Social peace is the result of stable institutions and compliance with fair laws. It is achieved with the open and free market that leaves space for entrepreneurs.

The author, Antonella Marty, does not make a single claim that she does not endorse with authorized opinions. It is worth reading what you have written.

Hugo Chavez Nicolas Maduro