Fidel Castro casts doubt on 'Cuban model'

Fidel Castro casts doubt on 'Cuban model'

edition.cnn.com

(CNN) -- Fidel Castro told a visiting American journalist that the "Cuban model" no longer works, an apparent admission of failings in the communist economic model introduced by his revolution more than 50 years ago.

"The Cuban model doesn't even work for us anymore," Castro told Jeffrey Goldberg of The Atlantic in an interview last week. Goldberg published parts of the exchange on a blog Tuesday and Wednesday.

(visit the link for the full news article)

Well Duh!

Let's see here. The USSR collapsed then Red China turns Capitalist. What did he expect?

When asked if he still wanted to export the "Cuban Model"

He simply replied.

'More recently, he said that a full fifth of state jobs could be redundant and that the government would have to review its role in the country's economy.

A few small changes have already been introduced: allowing more private enterprise for farmers and barbers, for example.

Goldberg said that Castro's statement was in response to a question about whether the Cuban model was still worth exporting.

"Did the leader of the Revolution just say, in essence, 'Never mind?' "

WOW that is basically the complete polar opposite of what Fidel and his revolution fought for all those decades ago.

This is the end.


edition.cnn.com
(visit the link for the full news article)

WOW that is basically the complete polar opposite of what Fidel and his revolution fought for all those decades ago.

This is the end.

Lots of drastic admissions coming from F. Castro recently, I wonder if he is trying to (or is being pressured to) publicly speak out in order to ease a Cuban state transition to something more beneficial to the country and its people... He is on his last legs and it's said that R. Castro is a bit more moderate, perhaps F.C. is giving his Bro. a helping hand in his push towards a more modern Cuba, here at the end?

reply to post by LadySkadi


I thought it was rather interesting how this is all coming down. I'm glad actually. I'd love to see the whole Cuban thing go out with a whimper instead of a bang.

reply to post by SLAYER69


Wait did it ever work? Has Commie government ever worked? I mean There is China, but I havent quite figured out what the hell there Government is. Its like some Freaky Commie/Cappie/Fasicst dream.

reply to post by poedxsoldiervet



It's growing too that's the scarier part.
Yeah just keep an eye on that one. I was reading a projection and how it could be heading for a massive implosion becuase of that very situation. But that's the topic for another thread.

Originally posted by LadySkadi

WOW that is basically the complete polar opposite of what Fidel and his revolution fought for all those decades ago.

This is the end.

Lots of drastic admissions coming from F. Castro recently, I wonder if he is trying to (or is being pressured to) publicly speak out in order to ease a Cuban state transition to something more beneficial to the country and its people...

It is exactly what happened to Russia, it was national survival in a global society. If Cuba wishes to become more powerful, it has to adopt new policies. However, I believe that the Cubans are smart enough to implement a new and successful political order based on socialism instead of some capitalist proxy country.

reply to post by SLAYER69


I Look forward to reading it. I wonder how much longer before all the economies imploded? I heard somewhere that 90% of our money is computerized and doesnt exist on paper!!! How is that freaking possible?

I'm going to post some of Fidel's more famous quotes.

Things have changed.

Source

Capitalism is using its money; we socialists throw it away.

I find capitalism repugnant. It is filthy, it is gross, it is alienating... because it causes war, hypocrisy and competition.

They talk about the failure of socialism but where is the success of capitalism in Africa, Asia and Latin America?

The revenues of Cuban state-run companies are used exclusively for the benefit of the people, to whom they belong.

I've been following this story in The Atlantic, and cannot wait for the next installments. Castro has made his share of mistakes for sure, but the amazing thing is that he is now owning up to many of them IN PUBLIC, and giving some sage advice to the leaders of the world, should they chose to listen to him. It's a pretty amazing little slice of history. (Who was the last retired world leader that you can remember going on record in such an open way who wasn't whoring their biography?) He realizes that he has been given extra years that he has no business having (due to his health issues), and is trying his best to pass on some wisdom, and from what I've read so far, the world could do worse than to listen to the old man.

Before the "hurr durr communism fails" trolls deafen us all with their half baked views on economic models of the 20th century, lets look at the facts. Every country of any significance is now socialist to one degree or another, and has been since WWII. Pure capitalism and communism never really existed for any length of time; each hybridized with socialism and gave us China and the Cuba on one end, and the US on the other. Now the US is not only socialist, but this "capitalist" country is easing into fascism (or already there). In my humble view, we are in a much more dangerous time than we were back in the Cold War, and I don't mean from terrorists.

reply to post by erumisato


Interesting perspective.
True, we can only hope that whatever form they transition to will be peaceful.
The time for the "Great Revolution" is over IMO.

Originally posted by Dimitri Dzengalshlevi
It is exactly what happened to Russia, it was national survival in a global society. If Cuba wishes to become more powerful, it has to adopt new policies. However, I believe that the Cubans are smart enough to implement a new and successful political order based on socialism instead of some capitalist proxy country.

Question...

Is that how you see every and all capitalist countries?
As a "Capitalist Proxy"? If not then which countries are free?

Wow, it takes a true leader to admit that the way things are going in his own country are wrong. I'm not that familiar with Fidels history so I won't praise him for anything he has done because it may have been wrong. But for a man to essentially state that his countries current government isn't worth exporting is something I think is commendable.

Good to hear he's honest about it, and maybe more willing to reconsider what the Cuban government should really look like.


Also goes to show, the US doesn't need to go in guns-blazing every time one of these countries has such a revolution (Korea, Vietnam), or even because a country has a brutal dictatorship. England suffered under some brutal dictators, but I bet you the English are still glad no ancient super-power ever invaded them and occupied them for decades because of it. It has significant effects on people and their cultures, and their businesses and infrastructure, that we should stay well away from.

reply to post by VirginiaRisesYetAgain


What kind of Government will replace a dictatorship once it collapses? How will people who have only ran a Socialists country make the transition to a free market economy without taring itself apart?

Cuba has a rough road ahead of itself.
This isn't going to be a cake walk transition IMO.

reply to post by kyle43


The man is dying.
I consider these as death bed confessions. I'm sorry he will have to take up all that he has done in his life with his maker. [If he believes in one ] Either way. Let's see if he is serious and opens the "Secret Government" files like the former USSR and KGB did. Maybe we'll find out who really killed Kennedy aye?

reply to post by SLAYER69


Fidel is talking a lot lately. They say his mind is still sharp but one has to doubt!

Fidel criticizes Iran

He also said this today:

The former Cuban leader also warned that an escalating conflict between Iran and the West could lead to nuclear war.

Mr Castro, speaking to a US journalist, also questioned his own actions during the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962.

Asked if he stood by his recommendation for the Soviets to bomb America, he said "it wasn't worth it at all".
Continue reading the main story
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Mr Castro was speaking to Jeffrey Goldberg, a journalist with The Atlantic magazine based in Washington, DC, whom he personally invited to Cuba.

reply to post by plumranch


Little known snippet. Cuba supposedly had one or two A-Bombs ready for a "US" invasion during the missile crises. Fidel revealed this bit of info to McNamara during a meeting in the late 80s or mid 90s I forget which now. McNamara was stunned when he learned that. We had no idea that the Soviets had given them two and then retrieved them later quietly from the Cubans after the crises was over.

reply to post by SLAYER69

Cuba supposedly had one or two A-Bombs ready for a "US" invasion during the missile crises.

Maybe that is the real reason the US backed away from the Bay of Pigs? LOL!

If only Fidel would write a truthful biography! But it'l never happen!

reply to post by plumranch


Nah Cuba didn't have them during the bay of pigs.
That was one of the questions asked him after he revealed it.