Are the Cuban Gov. & Communist Party Truly Leading Society?
HAVANA TIMES — The first time I went rafting down a mountain river, the instructor explained to us that the only way to keep the raft under control – and avoid being thrown against the rocks by the current – is to row quickly with the current.
Cuba’s economic reforms remind me of those rivers that begin to swell as they flow downhill. To try and set a pre-established pace for these changes is like thinking that one can make a raft stop in the middle of the river.
The government seems intent on avoiding all improvisation in economic matters, something that cost Cuba dearly in the past. However, it is finding it difficult to make slow progress while maintaining overall control over the changes taking place in society.
For years, they’ve been “assessing” the possibility of opening up wholesale supply stores for cooperatives and the self-employed. They are also “assessing” the mechanisms these could use to import the tools and supplies they need for their work.
While authorities continue to study and draw up pilot plans, Cubans with a bit of street-smarts have set up a system to import containers from Mexico, Panama and other countries. They even advertise on the Internet and sell their products via catalogues.
Through them, one can get one’s hands on just about anything: doors, furniture, chainsaws, washing machines, fridges, hotel supplies, tools, lamps and air conditioning units. They supply a great many of Cuba’s self-employed, including many private restaurants.
These supplies are also bought by private discos and bars, even though these do not officially exist under official reforms. Thanks to the popular (i.e. the real) reform, these are spreading like fungi and are among the most profitable businesses out there, given the natural propensity of Cubans and tourists to “party.”
The mechanism is simple: all discos and bars operate under a restaurant license. To pull the wool over the government’s eyes, they offer a menu that includes 3 or 4 dishes they can throw together in case of inspection. “It’s not our fault that customers chose to dance and drink rather than eat,” one of the owners told me.
The government authorized the establishment of clothing workshops but forbade the import of garments. The problem is that it hasn’t made fabrics, threads and other needed supplies available to seamstresses and fashion designers. Therefore, the bulk of the clothing being sold continues to be contraband.
A self-employed person in the sector tells me how he skirts these restrictions: “I had badges with the name of my store made and hired several seamstresses to sow these onto the garments I bring from abroad. Who can swear we didn’t make those garments ourselves?” he asks.
Computer services constitute yet another field where reforms from below fail to be controlled by those in government. The professionals are categorically barred from operating private businesses, but they do so domestically and internationally.
The most successful of the lot have websites where they earn good money promoting private businesses. Others are hired by foreign companies to program for them in Cuba. An engineer tells me he doesn’t want to emigrate but that “I’ll leave the country if they won’t let me continue doing my work.”
The eyes and ears of the government are another piece of the puzzle. The “bite” inspectors take is another operational cost Cuba’s self-employed have to pay. For a monthly quota, those tasked with enforcing the law play deaf and blind.
By dint of the “domino effect,” once you’ve pushed one piece, the others begin to fall, one by one. This is what happens when you liberate the productive forces: you can only control their development if you keep abreast of society as a whole.
At its next congress, the Communist Party will have an opportunity to clearly define the country’s course and to take the lead. To do this, one need know where things are heading and advance as quickly – or more quickly – than the rest of the troop. Otherwise, you end up in the rearguard.
Mr Castro is attempting to bury his head in the sand and pretend that this is not happenning. The Cuban people have had a taste of what tourists take for granted in their own countries, and they like it and want some more. Either do your job Mr Castro and lead your people to a more prosperous life or move aside and let someone else take up the challenge.
Agree Bob, the U.S. can best help by not trying to be so helpful. Get out of the way, the people got this.
I see this mistake made over and over again. China is great example of how trade and engagement leads to a society evolving on it’s own. Coercion whether from state against own citizens or one state against another can have opposite effect of intentions.
I prefer to take your first sentence as a compliment. As far as the second sentence, nothing more than chocolate-flavored whey protein shake. (Just got home from the gym)
I don’t want to make you sad but sometimes telling the unvarnished truth is sad. It’s a little tough to comment about a cruel, ruthless, tyrannical dictatorship using only ‘church’ words but if it keeps you from being sad, I’ll give it a try.
It’s sad really to read your posts, your expertise and intelligence on the subject is lost because of the way you choose to frame your statements.
The dialog on a rapidly changing Cuba would be better served if you could comment constructively rather than spewing hate.
you have such an active imagination. What medication are you on?
The Cuban government has not proactively implemented any economic reforms. They are being driven by market forces, implemented by Cuban citizens. The government is being forced to react and legalize the growth in various forms of commerce that they cannot stop or control. One only needs to look at the size of the “in the street” or alternative market to see this impact. The concept of the government controlled economy is disappearing due to private capital provided by family and friends abroad as well as new markets for such output.
The Cuban government is finding itself reactionary. The best the government can do is slow down the rate at which it becomes economically less significant to Cuban citizens.
I believe the changed posture of the US government has played a role in this. After 50 years of unsuccessfully attempting to change the Cuban government in a top down approach, now permitting greater interaction with the Cuban people is allowing the country to change in spite of the the government’s desires in a bottom up fashion.
I think that the Castros are going to screw this up. I think they are going to get caught selling arms to Syria. The are going to be implicated in a Venezuelan drug deal. I just think that they are going to do something to stall Obama’s agenda. When have Dictators ever done anything positive without a gun to their heads. Don’t hold your breath on any substantial progress in Cuba.
A little less fear is in order for the state. Get on with the reforms. The U.S. will soon remove any further crutches for controls. I expect Obama to issue a new round of relief and visit Habana in the new year. Communism is a thing of the past. Muslim ascendency fanatics will keep U.S. Occupied for next 50 years.