Why Castroism will die with Castro

Firmas Press ^ | August 17, 2006 | Carlos Alberto Montaner

[BIGLOOK]

The transfer of power from Fidel to Raul was much publicized but I haven't heard (officially) of the transfer back. Just saw pics of Fidel in his Addidas play clothes holding an unpublished newspaper.

[California Patriot]

Exactly. Montaner and many other people are wrong to regard either socialism or dictatorship as an anachronism. They are more accurately described as permanent temptations. I'm inclined to think that both will always be with us, and I'm absolutely certain that both will always be live possibilities. The only thing that can really be considered anachronistic is certain styles of dictatorship and socialism. But then, certain styles of clothing become anachronistic too. Doesn't mean much.

[California Patriot]

It is widely recognized, but not in a vivid way. While few believe in communism, most people don't regard it with the hatred it deserves, know where it came from or more than the sketchiest details of what it did, or know how to deal with it. And that's a problem.

[Sonny M]

Just saw pics of Fidel in his Addidas play clothes holding an unpublished newspaper.

I wouldn't factor in that newspaper thing, that newspaper is state owned, so the pic isn't credible.

As far as I can tell, Raul is still officially in charge.

[ozzymandus]

The big lie was that the USSR would be ruled by "worker's soviets", i.e. committees. It became a one-man state as soon as lenin consolidated his power, and stalin completed the transition to fascism, or "cult of personality". After stalin's death, it reverted somewhat to rule by committee, which is how kruschev was overthrown without bloodshed. By the end, the rulers were a succession of dying old men, and when the bureaucrat gorby attempted some small reforms, the house of cards collapsed.

Cuba is more analogous to Franco's Spain.

[goldstategop]

The difference between Eastern Europe and Cuba is Communism was imposed by Soviet tanks there and was perceived as the instrument of a foreign power. In Cuba, it arose through a home-grown revolution and is seen as a nationalist bulwark against American designs on the island. For that reason, Communism is going to have a longer stay in Cuba. The country might become more like China or Vietnam but the ruling class has no reason to cede power.

(No more Olmert! No more Kadima! No more Oslo!)

[goldstategop]

The Cuban Revolution isn't even 50 years old. As long as the regime believes the people will be quiescent, there is little incentive for them to change. In totalitarian societies, the ruling oligarchy usually doesn't pay attention to the people, unless their rule is threatened. And Cuba is not burdened with the problems of empire and they get subsidies from Venezuela. The Revolution will around a long while yet.

(No more Olmert! No more Kadima! No more Oslo!)

[California Patriot]

Yes, and I would add one other point. Cubans, or most of the ones who remain there, are third-worlders. In Eastern and Central Europe, communism contrasted starkly with an older and better civilization. It is no accident, I think, that while Eastern and Central Europe threw off communism, no non-European country truly has, even though it's clearly decayed in China and Vietnam.

[Sonny M]

Cuba is more analogous to Franco's Spain.

Perhaps, but by design, they are modeled after the Soviets.

It just happens that Castro has lived a long time, and his lunatic evil sibling handles the bloodshed in a more low key but hands on way.

FWIW, the cubans I know who came over, were always being given the state line BS that everything was being run by committees and the people, no one was stupid enough to believe it, but Cuba makes a strong effort to claim they are run by "workers".

Sidenote: Raul Castro was also the mentor (not Fidel) to Che Guerrura and was the first castro to join up with the communists. Raul introduced his protege Che to Fidel, and the rest is history.

[goldstategop]

The Communists in China, Vietnam and Cuba led nationalist revolutions. In North Korea, Communism was imposed by the Soviets but North Koreans have never been able to directly compare their lives with that of their neighbors, so tight has the party's control been over what people can hear, see and read in that country.

(No more Olmert! No more Kadima! No more Oslo!)

[goldstategop]

Cuban Communism was unorthodox. The band of guerrillas who seized power moved in an anarchistic way forward to a Communist state and they rejected the typical Marxist philosophy of rule by the party for the rule of a charismatic strongman. The party is powerful in Cuba but Fidel has the final word.

(No more Olmert! No more Kadima! No more Oslo!)

[Savage Beast]

"The National Assembly of the People's Power (Parliament)...is a parrot cage"

Sounds like the American newsmedia.

[RobbyS]

Castro was/is a fanatic who was willing to let his country die if that meant he could hurt the United States. His crowd had more in common with Hezbollah than the more pragmatic Russian communists of Khruchchev's government.
When the Russian leader realized he was allied with a crazy man, he quickly cut a deal with Kennedy.

[Right Wing Assault]

Let's hope Islam stays out of Cuba.

Let's hope Venezuela stays out of Cuba, too.

[sasportas]

Let's hope Venezuela stays out of Cuba, too.

No way Chavez is going to do that.

[Chode]

cause it's just a cult of personality...

[Zack Nguyen]

I look forward to "opening the books" on Cuban military/intelligence activities. I suspect we'll find a lot about it that's fascinating, particularly as it pertains to the Cuban Missile Crisis and assassination of JFK.

[California Patriot]

You must be planning to live for a long time.

[Brilliant]

If Chavez tries to take over Cuba, I predict it will be his undoing. Might even be worth it if he does, just to see him sink into the quick sand.

[Shooter 2.5]

Are you going to look for a secret UFO base too?