Re: [Marxism] Cuba: the litmus test?

[David Walters <dave.walters@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Well, this point on the Cuban elections does raise some interesting 
points. Especially as Walter raises in polite context of poising it to 
those that still believe Cuba is in need of a socialist revolution, 
i.e.: the ISO/SWP-UK.

What is the *substance* of the National Assembly election "campaigns". I 
use ironic quotes here for a reason. Cuba is unique among workers states 
that they even had elections where:

1. More than one candidate can run for office for a given seat in the 
Assembly and
2. A candidate does not have to be a member of the Communist Party to run

Having stated that, the campaigns, as I've seen the descriptions, and 
reproductions of bio-posters, almost rests entirely on a candidates 
biography, not on politics..."Politics"...*politics* that is: the 
critique and advocacy of positions and program. In other words, my 
impression is that the elections are a-political to an extreme...and 
therefore would impress few beyond Cuba's own national boundries as to 
the Assembly's ability to really tackle tough issue and *steer* the 
nation, let alone be a convincing "socialist" institution.

Just a few thoughts on this,

David

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