Posted on 12/24/2004 4:03:10 AM PST by TigerLikesRooster
Sorry, but that's the Soviet's history, openness to capital, followed by crackdown, nationalization, etc. They've done it, repeatedly. Look at it another way. While Cuba is purely a client-state of the Soviets, what do you think Cuba exports that provides for Cuba's way of life, pitiful as it is - tobaccy?
I think your confusion is over the term, command economy. It's apt. It doesn't mean there is no desire for capital. It means the state is characterized, however, by an 'economy' where capital doesn't matter. But it's still present. There are command aspects to a free republican economy, conversely. But that wouldn't characterize such. Again, as a Soviet-client, their needs were typically met by the Soviets. Apparently, the Chicoms have not stepped in to do the same (but you never know). Cuba now publicly relies on tourism, raw materials (like nickel), etc. But that's a state-based trade, with tourism and local 'entreprenuers' so regulated they essentially work for Castro. If they needed more oil, say, or whatever, capital would come into it. And without international bankers backing them, they'd have to rely exclusively on what amounts to charitable Soviet/Chicom support. Cuba is pitiful because of its command economy. It did better with Soviet stipends. And the Soviets have always counted on similar from the west. Cuba defaults on its loans. The Soviets have historically done the same. Etc. And that is the pitiful economic history of international communism.
Really!
People actually work and have jobs over there, and they export raw materials at high prices.
To: Grampa Dave
"Where would Kim and his ilk go?"
"Tenured Professors at various United States universities."
You are probably correct. These universities would make Kim and Ben Laden Tenured Professors.
Kim Jong-il has a fortified bunker complex in N.E. N. Korea near Chinese
border. He has many in the country. However, this one is the newest and
probably the most secure. He could head there to stick it out if going gets
tough. After that, I don't know.
China would most likely move in, the moment things would get out of hand
in N. Korea.<<<<<<<<<
More tunnels, in time the world will be ruled from underground.......
I don't think Kim is going anywhere after collapse. The only thing that keeps him alive these days (and that is very tenuous, thank u No Myu-hyun) is appeasement to avoid collateral damage. Once his citizen/hostages are gone, he would be too much of a hot potato to hold from the Hague (or his former subjects who will want his blood). He will also present a nice good will gesture from China/etc to the Hague. He will have no other value at that point, only liabilities.
The possibilty remains that he could cut a deal for sanctuary prior to collapse. Even this one would be difficult for a host country to honor, once the world finds out what's been going on in Korea for the past 60 years.
No need to focus eveyone's anger on Kim though. It's the rest of the world that let and continue to let it happen.
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