So long Chavez

Venezuela’s president resigns. The Venezuelan army says president Hugo Chavez has resigned after violent anti-government protests in which 11 people died. Chavez’s presidency was a fascinating attempt to construct a modern, populist alternative to Washington consensus policies. It was doomed in the end by economic naivety and the distorting egotism that may be inevitable in a leader elected by such a resounding majority after years in the wilderness.

I hope that someone brings both honesty and competence to Venezuelan government. The two virtues haven’t been present in tandem for decades.