h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

'I suppose the Inca don't get a mention...'

Yes, I thought of poor old Atahualpa as well. I just figured that that big royal Aztec face on the Mexican banknote would make the point.

"South America, which has no history of royal families, and therefore no history of aristocracy full stop, the rich became the elite by default. I suspect that it is one of the reasons that the continent is so riddled with corruption and violent right wing politics."

Not quite. South America has had both an actual aristocracy (think of the Brazilian Empire of the 19th century, which lasted as long as the USSR) and an effective aristocracy left-over from it's days as part of the Spanish Empire after the various colonies became independent in the 19th century.

"the rich became the elite by default"

Not quite. Most of the rich were descended from Europeans (mainly Spanish) whilst most of the poor "peasants" were the descendents of the inhabitants of the conquered Native American empires. South America was (and probably largely still is) split along race lines as much as class.

"violent right wing politics."

Violent politics full-stop. The South American far-Left hardly has a history of peaceful protest or respect for liberal democracy. South American politics was dominated during the 20th-century by political violence and murder perpeuated by extremist thugs who had a shameful number of apologists (and often backers) in the First World.

And of course you're all forgetting good old Emperor Maximillion. Speaking to a Mexican friend a while ago "oh yes, we killed him ".

"And of course you're all forgetting good old Emperor Maximillion"

He was installed, though, wasn't he? I think he was related to Napoleon III in some way and the French Emperor had him placed on the Mexican throne. His Empire (which was, I think, basically a French satellite) only lasted a couple of years before the Mexicans overthrew and executed him.

And . . .

Back to Hugo:

'At a press conference after his speech, Chavez said that the United States was a "terrorist state" because of its actions in Iraq, Robertson's assassination call and for harboring Luis Posada Carriles, who is wanted for the bombing of a Cuban airliner.'

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20050916/wl_afp/unsummitvenezuela_050916001254


(President Bush was reported to have responded to Mr. Chavez's comments by remarking 'I think I might have to go to the bathroom?')

"It would be easier if I was a dictator."

- Statement by George W. Bush shortly after becoming President

Another bit on Hugo at the UN:

'When he finally stopped, he got what observers said was the loudest applause of the summit.'

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/0916-03.htm

Just for the record, despite a limitation of 15 minutes per speaker, George Bush managed to speak from 9:48am to 10:13am, almost twice the alotted time, without being handed a note telling him he had exceeded his limit. Hugo Chaves, however, was asked to stop at the fifteen minute point. Mindful of precedent, Hugo forged ahead.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/09/20050914.html

<>

And good on him!

Venezuela has transfered all of its funds out of American banks. And Hugo is still a hero in South America:

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/100505N.shtml

Excellent!

Legend!!!