[Marxism] Castro's Socialism in Crisis

[Louis Proyect <lnp3@xxxxxxxxx>]

 From http://www.counterpunch.org/habel02062009.html

Why is the economy not working? What is the relationship between the 
state and the market in an economy where socialism replaces communism? 
What lessons can Cuba draw from China's and -- more importantly -- 
Vietnam's experience? Replies differ between those who still see 
themselves as Fidelistas and those who are Raulistas. If they don't 
necessarily represent their mentors, they certainly express the real 
differences between those leading the nation.

Ever the pragmatist, Raul stresses the need to get the economy out of 
its current rut and to improve agricultural productivity (more than half 
of arable land is uncultivated), while pushing for a better-organized 
public service, more respectful of institutions often short-circuited by 
his elder brother. His intention is to perpetuate the system by economic 
reform, preparing it to survive post-Castroism.

That explains the interest in Vietnam, which borrowed from capitalism 
the elements that work, like the market economy, without questioning the 
status quo and one-party rule. But it's unlikely that Cubans would 
accept the social costs involved after so many tough years. When the 
case for shock treatment has been discarded, the idea of a slow, gradual 
transition begins to take shape. However, Raul is 77 years old and his 
days are numbered.

Market reforms are opposed by some because of the threat they might pose 
to the system. Fidel has never hidden his dislike for "capitalist 
mechanisms" and what he sees as their political consequences. He has 
always stressed the importance of individual and social action.

The political analyst Juan Valdes Paz sets out the differences. "For 
some, the revolution is a continuing series of leaps forward which, to 
make progress, must attempt the impossible. This is a very strong strain 
of thought, perhaps the revolution's strongest legacy. Others are more 
realistic: they understand that certain scenarios are too difficult. 
It's an absorbing debate between utopian Marxists and more down-to-earth 
activists focused on concrete objectives in the present circumstances." 


Significantly, Cuba Socialista, the political and theoretical organ of 
CCP's central committee, has republished two of Fidel's historic 
speeches . One from 1988, "still very applicable" according to the 
review's editor, underlines the importance of national security and of 
the ideological battleground: "Now and then people ask if we shouldn't 
concentrate all our energy, all our efforts, all our resources, into 
building socialism and into developing the country... But that would be 
a serious delusion, even a criminal one, because (the battle) is the 
price that our country must pay for its revolution, its liberty and its 
independence." The Cuban economy was already in difficulty when this was 
written.


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