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Why has the socialist system in Cuba survived but not elsewhere in similar countries?

Why has the socialist system in Cuba survived but not elsewhere in similar countries?

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Reply 1
Avatar for Fandellos
Fandellos
13
I find this really interesting actually even though i cant answer the question, so i too am wanting to hear the answer :smile:
Reply 2
Avatar for Fandellos
Fandellos
13
http://www.socialistunity.com/?p=973

EDIT: just realised that doesnt entirely help, and google yields little help....
Reply 3
Avatar for Howard
Howard
5
Because, Cuba is also a very nationalist country and this nationalism holds the country together. The US have been trying their damnest to topple Castro's socialist Cuba for the best part of half a century but the Cuban people have come together as a nationalist whole to rebut the US' efforts. Nationalism is a great glue.

That's just an idea anyway.
It's also a very small country and an island, so it's much easier to contain people and ideas than it was in the USSR. There's little immigration to and emigration from Cuba, so the people growing up have been exposed to Socialist indoctrination within Cuba their entire lives. They are therefore more likely to be sympathetic to the regime. Also you've got the nationalist aspect like Howard mentioned, and also a strong leader. Kim Jong-Il, Castro, Stalin, Mao are all examples of revered far-Left icons that helped to hold a country together.
Reply 5
Avatar for Bagration
Bagration
18
Depends what you mean by "held." Kim Jong Il has a far greater grip on power than Fidel Castro.
Reply 6
Avatar for Riz_K
Riz_K
OP
Hey its because Im intending on doing a dissertation on this for my degree and find it an interesing question to work on.
Overground
It's also a very small country and an island, so it's much easier to contain people and ideas than it was in the USSR. There's little immigration to and emigration from Cuba, so the people growing up have been exposed to Socialist indoctrination within Cuba their entire lives. They are therefore more likely to be sympathetic to the regime. Also you've got the nationalist aspect like Howard mentioned, and also a strong leader. Kim Jong-Il, Castro, Stalin, Mao are all examples of revered far-Left icons that helped to hold a country together.

QFT

The size of Cuba is crucial.
Reply 8
Avatar for Howard
Howard
5
Riz_K
Hey its because Im intending on doing a dissertation on this for my degree and find it an interesing question to work on.


Have you been to Cuba? If not, you might find it helpful.
Reply 9
Avatar for Riz_K
Riz_K
OP
no I havent but am intending on going in the summer after my course finishes
Because, the have a cool leader in Fidel Castro (even though its his brother in charge now).

He's had sex with over 10,000 women; who would'nt idolise a man like that :tongue:imp:
Reply 11
Avatar for Howard
Howard
5
Riz_K
no I havent but am intending on going in the summer after my course finishes


Good. I think it'd be difficult to write your dissertation without any first hand experience of the country. Also, get in touch with the Cuba Solidarity Campaign - they provide lots of opportunities to learn about Cuba (particularly Cuban socialism) and meet with Cuban expats.
Reply 12
Avatar for a_t
a_t
16
Cuba has always been on the verge of bankruptcy

Thats why I found it highly amusing that they recently discovered that they have one of the 20 biggest oil supplies in the world running under their seas and they're gonna start tapping that oil within two years
Overground
It's also a very small country and an island, so it's much easier to contain people and ideas than it was in the USSR. There's little immigration to and emigration from Cuba, so the people growing up have been exposed to Socialist indoctrination within Cuba their entire lives. They are therefore more likely to be sympathetic to the regime. Also you've got the nationalist aspect like Howard mentioned, and also a strong leader. Kim Jong-Il, Castro, Stalin, Mao are all examples of revered far-Left icons that helped to hold a country together.


whether socialism is all they have known is not important .the fact is is that if they were not happy the socialist system would be toppled .the reason it has survived is because fidel castro (and now his sucessor), despite being a dictator, is very nice and caring and wants the best for all the ppl in his country. hes the kind of dictator any country would want . what i am saying is is that if fidel castro were to have held a totally democratic election hed win it cos he has made them happy.
NEVERYOUMIND
whether socialism is all they have known is not important .the fact is is that if they were not happy the socialist system would be toppled .the reason it has survived is because fidel castro (and now his sucessor), despite being a dictator, is very nice and caring and wants the best for all the ppl in his country. hes the kind of dictator any country would want . what i am saying is is that if fidel castro were to have held a totally democratic election hed win it cos he has made them happy.


He's only a dictator because of the countries security concerns. During Hitlers time in WW2 i'm pretty sure we suspended elections in Britain. Just like Castro has suspended elections untill America stops the embargo and the iminent thread of attack.

:yep:
Reply 15
Avatar for Hoz
Hoz
I'd say the size of Cuba is crucial but in the way that it is easier to manage. Seeing as they have a command economy, at least relatively compared to the USA, etc. and other places, such as Russia, who embraced a similar system had huge populations they could not control the economy very efficiently.

However with Cuba they are maintaining growth, whilst combining it with a brilliant health service and a life expectancy larger than the US's, therefore keeping popular support.
The censored press in Cuba only praised Socialism - therefore the majority of the population see how great it is and therefore support has been continued.
Reply 17
Avatar for UGeNe
UGeNe
14
Cuba will have a lot of oil revenue, apparently + the tourist + cigar revenue...LONG LIVE CASTRO dynasty!

Castro is the ultimate alpha male charismatic leader!
Reply 18
Avatar for Riz_K
Riz_K
OP
Castro and his governemt were able to maintain support of their regime due to their great stance on 'nationalism'. The cuban population have been able to understand over the decades that only Castro and the communist party would give Cuba its true national identity and keep any intervention from the US out.
Reply 19
Avatar for UGeNe
UGeNe
14
Hopefully, I'll be visiting Cuba during March break. Should be fun:cool: between the cheap booze, cigars, and hookers.

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