Weekly debate: Evo = Chavez?

Last Friday, Associated Press journalist Dan Keane examined the similarities and differences between Bolivian president Evo Morales and Venezuelan chief Hugo Chavez. Keane notes that the policies of Evo and Chavez are very similar and both profess to admire ailing Cuban leader Fidel Castro. However, Keane points out that it’s “a mistake” to suggest that Chavez is a catalyst for change in Bolivia:

"'The idea is homegrown,' said Jim Shultz, director of the Democracy Center, a Cochabamba-based nonprofit monitoring Bolivian politics. 'Whether or not it's being pushed farther or in more directions because Morales is following the model of Venezuela is known only to the backroom conversations between Evo and Hugo.'"

Let’s take a look at some similarities and differences between Evo and Chavez:

SIMILAR

• Pushed for assemblies to rewrite their country’s respective constitutions.
• Eager to redistribute unused and “wasted” land to the poor.
• Desire to nationalize the phone company.
• Critics in both countries claim that their policies will lead to a socialist failure.

DIFFERENT

• Bolivia’s push for a constitutional assembly preceded Venezuela’s by several years.
• Venezuelan nationalization projects were met by greater support than in Bolivia.
• Bolivia lacks the surplus in petrodollars that Venezuela takes advantage of.
• Evo is not as interested in a Pan-American alliance against the U.S. like Chavez emphasizes.

Are Evo and Chavez each copies of on another or are they too different based on the environments in each country? Are Evo and Chavez more similar to other Latin American leaders than each other? Will future regional leaders try to emulate or distance themselves from Evo and Chavez?

What do you think?

Links- Guardian UK

Image- truthdig