What is socialism?  Is there one all-encompassing definition for socialism?  Is it a mode of production?  Is it a political party?  If the latter is the case, can socialism then exist within a capitalist multiparty context?  Can you pinpoint a definition for me?  Or perhaps more pertinent is how many countries fit the (or a given) description of "socialist".  Case in point - Not all countries that belong to the Socialist International are "socialist", according to a given definition.

Also could you be a bit more specific in what you are referring to.  If you are referring to my colleague's article, wherein he states: No hay que ser parte del "núcleo duro" (socialista) para participar en los programas del ALBA, I think he is referring to the nucleus being Cuba and Venezuela.  We can also discuss if either of them qualify as "socialist".

I guess in your eyes, I have committed the sin of being an economist.  Nevertheless I am perhaps too flexible in my use of hte terminology (which often doesn't jibe well with academics).

"Beware of the man who does not talk, and the dog that does not bark." Cheyenne