Socialism...a nice idea

There have been a lot of reports in the international press about Hugo Chavez and his hijacking of the Venezuelan political system by attempting to abolish term limits. The move was put to a referendum and voted down by the people. Chavez's increasing erratic behavior in the international community, for instance his speech to the UN in 2006, has led me to believe that whilst socialism is a fine theory it is a terrible political practice.
Socialism is an ideology based on the overthrowing of Capitalism and retaining the economic production and exchange for the community as a whole. There is nothing wrong with this political stance. Any political movement that seeks to maintain equal rights for all people and to ensure that the indigent within society are well looked after is a movement that I support wholeheartedly.
Indeed the Mayor of Paris Bertrand Delanoe has helped implement a number of successful programs including the 'Free Bicycles' which aims to provide Parisians with easy, cost-effective and healthy alternatives to move around Paris.
Whilst Socialism appears to work on a local level such as with Paris it does not work as well on a National level. My primary criticism with Hugo Chavez are his anti-Western attitudes. These attitudes are not diplomatic qualities. Regardless of Mr. Chavez's personal criticisms of the Bush administration (i personally have many) he must realise that the world depends on America. As the lone superpower America provides aid for the world as well as military might. Whilst i agree that the Bush administration has overstepped its bounds in Iraq I am also a realist when it comes to international foreign policy. The newly-elected Rudd government in Australia made it clear to the people that they value the US-Australia alliance on par with the commitment to the United Nations.
Socialism is a perfectly viable ideology and it has worked will on a local level however it has failed on a national level. Chavez has been increasingly demonized by the international press and lately by his own people because of his fierce anti-American rhetoric.
The socialist ideology works when there is little international involvement such as with local communities or towns however once you begin to deal with the international community then the people will demand someone that can represent them diplomatically without leaving them open to hatred by people around the world.