On the Road to Capitalism

Author: Josh Adler

The article chosen this week is about the recent changes of the Cuban economy. Cuba for decades has struggled with its communist background, leaving its citizens sick and poor. Opponents of the regime have been arrested. After Raul Castro replaced his brother, Fidel, as leader the economy has been improving. Raul realizes that the population is shrinking and ageing, therefore there needs to be a better answer. Raul has started to privatize farming and a third of the workforce is planning on moving to private sector jobs. According to The Economist, Cubans are now allowed to buy and sell cars and homes and also have luxury goods such as mobile phones and laptops. Reform has been slow due to the strong opposition of other Cuban officials that are afraid that the communist party is losing control. According to the Economist, Raul needs to move faster because slow reform has exposed class warfare. Another reason for faster reform is because Raul needs to find another successor that will lead Cuba to a more progressive society. The slow reform can create a revolt against the existing regime.

I believe that the U.S. government should be willing to help Cuba progress into a more democratic society. Democracy and capitalism will help improve the standard of living of Cuban citizens. If the Cuban borders are opened then U.S. corporations will be able to create commerce and develop malls and real estate. Cuba is only ninety miles from Florida and could become a large vacation hotspot. Opening the Cuban borders will benefit both the citizens of Cuba and the American corporations. The communist government has kept its citizens in poverty for decades and a more capitalist society will create wealth that will bring better health-care and educational systems to the island. Should the U.S. government continue with the Cuban embargo? Is Cuba still a threat to the U.S.? Will the Cuban citizens reject the more progressive U.S. government?

Economist Article: http://www.economist.com/node/21551047