Did the cuban revolution succeed?

[Martyr]

I dont know were this topic goes but Yesterday I went through my photo album and stumpled opon I picture that I took when I went to Cuba last year. I asked the people including the maid at the hotel about the cuban revolution she hated it by saying there is no freedom no good (Her words) I also asked the people on the street and well they had the same opinion as the maid. So was it succesful I say no becuase well almost everyone there was sad when I walked down the beach and no one looked happy every one was either sad or angry and alot of people lived in poverty when I went there and just all of them looked in bad shape. But that was my experience what do you guys think?

[RebeldePorLaPAZ]

I'm not sure on that, we had several Rev-Left members visit Cuba and their story where totally diffrent from yours. On one hand the maid who said that there was no freedom could be non other than a capitalist who like the Cuban's in Florida rather live in an American fantacy.

I've meet many Cuban's that came over here who still support Castro but decided to leave for other reasons. Like one man had to leave because his family left and he didn't want to be away from them. He supported the revolution but rather have been with his family that live alone. Now he is old and homless in Hartford, CT.

It depends the Cuban's you ask, and if things where so bad wouldn't you think there would be a uprisings? protests? riots?

Your story needs more detail.



--Paz

[Clarksist]

Did it succeed?

Depends.

I wouldn't say it succeeding in making a great society. I mean, a state capitalistic country that hasn't had elections in quite some time? I think that sometimes we get a bit cought up in defending Cuba... when the true leftist thing to do is self criticize and examine to see what a better way is.

Although, I've never been to Cuba, and have only heard/read things. So I am not a prime source for Cuban information.

[barista.marxista]

Cuba regularly has parliamentary elections based on the Leninist model of municipal electing/retracting as described in State and Revolution. Just because Castro has been president for ~40 years, doesn't mean they don't have elections, unless you believe revolutions are always lead by one man, the president of the country.

I would say Cuba has succeeded in creating a socialist society. Obviously, however, a socialist society is imperfect, and is just a transitional phase into communism; the key is in the progressions made by the society. Thus, I critically support Cuba as a Revolutionary model for workers and peasants, and have deducted that they are a socialist nation.

[Intifada]

I mean, a state capitalistic country that hasn't had elections in quite some time?

[emphasis added]

This, comrade, shows your ignorance of the Cuban revolution.

[Clarksist]

This, comrade, shows your ignorance of the Cuban revolution.


How?

I don't think that having parliamentary elections twice a decade is anything quick.


Cuba regularly has parliamentary elections based on the Leninist model of municipal electing/retracting as described in State and Revolution.


Again "regularly" is not the best term to use when its once every five years.

[Intifada]

How?

Because I believe that the last national elections in Cuba took place in 2003, contrary to your statement.

[ComradeOm]

Cuba is a particularly difficult country to pass judgement on at this point in time. The amount of propaganda (both pro and anti) tends to make finding impartial facts difficult. Personally I'm waiting until Fidel dies to pass judgement. The transition of power will prove the country's democratic credentials.

As for the Revolution itself, I believe that the official line is that the revolution is still ongoing.

[Rockfan]

Originally posted by [email protected] 15 2005, 07:50 AM
Again "regularly" is not the best term to use when its once every five years.
Well most countries have elections every 3 or 4 years, 5 years seem prity regular.

[Clarksist]

Because I believe that the last national elections in Cuba took place in 2003, contrary to your statement.


The one before that? 1998. That is not soon enough.


Well most countries have elections every 3 or 4 years, 5 years seem prity regular.


I'm not basing this on neo-liberal capitalist democracies.

Politicians should be easily recallable, and the people should have many chances to rethink their options.

[Rockfan]

Originally posted by [email protected] 15 2005, 09:07 AM

Well most countries have elections every 3 or 4 years, 5 years seem prity regular.


I'm not basing this on neo-liberal capitalist democracies.

Politicians should be easily recallable, and the people should have many chances to rethink their options.
Ok yeah fair enough point taken.

[Martyr]

^^ thanks for the replies

[red_che]

If by revolution you mean the socialist revolution, I think they are still on that one. Their democratic revolution has ended. They already seized political power from their old feudal landlords. Building up a socialist society is not a one-night process.


Again "regularly" is not the best term to use when its once every five years.

By "regular" it means that it is being held. even once a year or once every two years.

[Krank]

Q: Did the Cuban Revolution succeed in creating the perfect society, free from state and totally free from classes?
A: No

Q: Did the Cuban Revolution succeed in creating an independent, somewhat free and somewhat democratic society.
A: Yes