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Introduction: the Cuban Revolution and World Change (Bray and Bray 2002)…
Introduction: the Cuban Revolution and World Change (Bray and Bray 2002)
the Cuban revolution and socialist economic system stands as the foremost alternative social system of neoliberal corporatization
Russia- health, education and social security programmes have been gutted, Cuba conditions of life improving after the collapse of the USSR, over 80% of trade with the USSR
Economic reform in 1993/4 meant conditions of life are improving , doing a good job. Could its accomplishments survive the neoliberal changes still being demanded as the price for US tolerance?
Hard currency earning in US dollars has generated new employment opportunities and new wealth . Will it be able to preserve its ideals to social justice upon opening up to the free marketers from the north
The lack of material showing of modern capitalism is breathtaking, human relationships less superficial and materials more appreciated. Popular culture is vibrant, art is nourished and flourishing.
Cuba and the struggle for a new kind of world
In the 90s, blatant and effective attempts by transnational corporate interests to dominate the world economy shocked people concerned about democracy, the environment and justice, all persons subject to victimisation by the corporate onslaught had common cause
North vs south, a world free marketers make
Six major levels of struggle: production, consumption, domestic politics, culture, the environment and international transaction
Cuba is a keystone element in world reconstruction. Reformation is seen in all of the ideas and forces coming together to resist and transcend neoliberal globalisation. Cuba has alternative life features worthy of study
Transperialism and US- Cuban relations
globalisation as neocolonialism in the North and general world hegemony of the US, a free trade, laissez faire system
Cuban recovery since 1994
1993-4 economic breakdown, people left the island, however booming tourism and remittances led the revolution back on course. 60% of the population had access to dollar earnings, the economy was growing again. Awakened new initiatives and dynamism
The role of Fidel and his legacy
Provided transformative leadership to usher in a new social order
All Cubans are expected to carry the banner of an alternative world- community, social and economic justice and popular power
Addressing the Cuban revolution
Special period in a time of peace- severe difficulties imposed on the Cuban economy by the end of the Soviet union and breakup of CMEA. Encouragement of FDI and legalisation of the dollar as a currency for domestic transactions
Impacts on Cuban society- creation of social equality and social mobility without the creation of a privileged class, preeminence of social ownership of the fundamental modes of production . Processes of political participation had been deepened, introduction of market incentives can lead to socialist development
Mass associations in Cuba that compose civil society, new economic actions are seen having a potential role in civil society, in the technical- entrepreneurial sector
Cuban leadership tried to steer a middle course between openness and restructuring society. Before the crisis, egalitarian considerations were paramount in economic policy decisions
The general staff of the US ruling class , realise that in order to retain hegemony in the US cannot afford to let short-run profits from investments in Cuba override the necessity to eliminate the social country outside the US sphere of control
The force of Cuba's natural history and unique and dynamic culture has preserved its socialist economy
Cuba's commitment to education, health, rewarded labour and dignified later life has not been altered by drastic shifts in world political circumstances