rkm wrote:
>> >From what we've been learning on the list, it would seem that the primary
>> difference is that Cuba is democratic and Singapore is not. In fact I
>> can't think of another example of democracy other than Cuba.
1/30/98, Dennis R Redmond responded:
>Think a little harder. To paraphrase Brecht, woe to the socialism which
>needs national-revolutionary heroes.
What is the evidence that Cuba's socialism depends on the personal
intervention of Castro? And what is the evidence that it is "hero" status
rather than ongoing leadership contributions that explain his long
incumbency? As we have seen, Cuba is not following the
all-powerful-central-party model that Brecht was commenting on, nor is
Castro in any way building a personal-dictator regime as did Stalin or Mao.
>The point is that the socialisms of the 21st century must begin to draw on
>BOTH experiences -- the success of the Singaporeans in standing up to the
>Wall Street hegemony and creating a nation-state and a national economy
>out of thin air, as well as the local organizing and Third World political
>solidarities of the Cuban revolution.
What is the evidence that Wall Street was unhappy with or non-supportive of
Singaporean development? Many nations were initially permitted localized
development strategies in the postwar system, provided they didn't embrace
overly anti-capitalist policies.
You seem to be saying that Cuba is a model of political prowess and
Singapore is an example of economic prowess. I suggest Cuba's _economic_
prowess is superior to Singapore's, based on the accomplishment/resources
ratio and the US hinrance/help ratio. The more equitable distribution of
Cuba's wealth and services is an additional bonus in the comparison. Cuba
can be drawn on for _BOTH_ "experienences", and Singapore's friendly
fascism can be left in the dust where it belongs.
>Possibly China will be the vast
>crucible in which some sort of synthesis between economic and political
>mobilization will be able to happen; or maybe the new semi-peripheries of
>the Eurostate will lead the way.
Whether or not China retains any socialism, its political experience offers
nothing but negative examples to the student of democracy.
rkm