Thursday, September 9, 2010
Castro says Cuban model doesn't work
Ex-Cuban president Fidel Castro admitted in an interview that the Cuban economic model of communism does not work. When asked if the Cuban economic model was worth exporting to other countries Castro said, "The Cuban model doesn't even work for us any more". This is one of the first times Castro has commented on domestic affairs since turning the presidency over to his brother Raul in 2006. Cuba still clings to its communist system with over 90% of the economy owned by the state. Current president Raul Castro has implemented some reforms saying that "Cubans...need to start working harder and expecting less from the government". However, the article also says that Raul Castro has "no desire to depart from Cuba's socialist system or embrace capitalism". Even though President Castro has no intention of leaving the socialist system, could this signal a shift in thinking that would potentially lead, many years down the road, to a change in the Cuban economic system? Or is Cuba too set in its ways for any sort of economic change?
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3 comments:
I believe that the first step to fixing a problem is realizing you have one. Having Castro come out publicly and say that his country's economic system, "doesn't even work," is that step. Since Cuba has been in this system for so long, with the government controlling over 90 precent of the economy, it is going to have to rely on other countries to integrate themselves into their economy if they choose to open international trade. However, the current president does not seem want to leave the socialistic system which they have lived on for so long. It is hard to kick an old habit. Maybe a slow movement towards a more market economy would be the best way to move away from the communism they are experiencing.
I agree with Phillip. President Raul Castro might not want a change during his time, and it most probably will not even occur during his time. If Cuba sees a change in its economic system it will probably be an evolutionary change.
On the other hand, would any economic system work when your largest potential trading partner in the region has imposed trade sanctions and travel bans for decades? Either way, those unemployed in the Cuban government layoffs are going to need jobs, and the US should take advantage of the situation and make a statement about the superiority of its economic system by opening trade and bolstering Cuba's private sector. Increased personal wealth has often been theorized to help in the democratization of a country - we should help people in Cuba to earn income so they can better tackle their political issues on their own.
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