Let me propose a hypothetical.
When Obama opened the connections with Cuba, the country had been suffering economically for the last 60 years. They were hungry for relief from the economic constraints and presuures imposed upon them by the US in response to Fidel Castro.
If we had allowed the normal flow of goods into the country to continue, and Trump had not shut off the economic spigot, the Cuban people would have become willing capitalists. They were that hungry for new goods and services. Raul Castro is not his brother and was much more pliable. Once the govrrnment of Cuba has tasted the influx of new goods it would have nearly impossible for
Raul or any leader to reverse the capitalistic trend.
Now here's the real hypothetical. Cuba and Russia are the two countries propping up Maduro in Venezuela. Is Cuba engaging in Venezuela 's internal concerns in response to Trump's reversing their opening just after they had a taste of economic relief and hope. Is Raul possibly motivated by Trump's precipitous actions?
Had we kept them open and fed them the goods they so desparately desired and would be enjoying, they would have thought twice about involving themselves in Venezuela for fear of having that spigot shut off by the US.
Had Cuba not gotten involved due to this fear of sanction would Russia have hesitated in getting involved. Would Russia not have been encouraged to ignore the Monroe Doctrine? If so, would not Maduro's government not already have collasped?
The implications of this hypothetical suggests that Trump's lack of foreign policy acumen and his refusal to listen to those around him who do have the knowledge and acumen has created an unnecessary situation. He lost his opportunity to make Cuba a capitalist or quasi-capitalist country and an ally (albeit reluctant, but economically dependent). Would this then not have headed off Russia incursion into Venezuela, with Russia seeing too high a risk without a partner in the hemisphere (Cuba)?.
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Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.I think you are confusing Socialism and Communism. Communism is state owned National production. Socialism is state supplied social assistance. The Republicans like to confuse the two.
rogueflyer
Level 8
Mar 31, 2019
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If one worries about the well being of Latin Americans then, obviously, the right action to take is to eliminate the influence of the catholic church and the equally damaging rule of socialist leadership.
zesty
Level 7
Mar 31, 2019
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Agree with the first point. Disagree with the second. I not sure a Socialist model might not work in some places. Capitalism is not monolithic, and neither is Socialism.
@t1nick If one defines the socialist model according to the classical Marxist interpretation "the means of production should be owned by the government" - this approach misses the human component. This is the reason the socialist government always try social engineering to create the socialist men. Does'n seem working.
@t1nick Thank you for the definition. I see a huge problem here: "The system is driven by people working together and lifting each other up". How do you get these people? What happens to the rest of the society, people who don't work together and wish to push each other down? Reeducation camps? I think this system could work for me but it is illusorical. I don't want to sound cynical, but it is a very important question.
@zesty Your cynicism is understandable given th etimes we are going through. Its lilke the people who insist "trickle down economics works". They all depend on the better nature of individuals and collectives and histroy shows that this type of altruism and cooperation is in short supply in humans. We can accept the flawed system we have, complain and belly ache or try something different that might work for a loarger segment of our society. Giving 90% of the countries wealth to jus 1% isn't exactly a satisfactory system either.
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