Socialism, is it really that bad?

06Mar2024

What is Socialism? By broad definition, socialism is a political and economic system in which property and the means of production are owned in common, typically controlled by the state or government. Socialism is based on the idea that common or public ownership of resources and means of production leads to a more equal society. However, in order to understand Socialism, it is important to understand Capitalism as well. Capitalism is based on private ownership of resources and means of production, and individual choices in a free market. Therefore, these two are in total conflict and this is one of the reasons why Cuba and the United States have been feuding for years.

Capitalism caused Cuba to live in a world where the rich got richer and the poor stayed poor. This is why Fidel Castro decided to take a socialist stance on ruling Cuba. He saw the disproportionate way in which Cuba's resources were being distributed between those in power and those who were the working class and he wanted to make it to where everyone was equal. The "socialist philosophers believe that the features of capitalism lead to inequalities in wealth and hence power, and the exploitation of workers. According to socialism, notions of individual freedom and equality of opportunity are available only to those who control the means of production." (National Geographic) Therefore, in a capitalist society, a few rich people hold all the power at the expense of the working class.

Communism is a form of socialism based on the writings of German philosopher and economist Karl Marx. Fidel Castro also was a follower of the Marx doctrine because this philosophy was based on the principle that all property and goods are commonly owned by a society without government or class divisions. In Cuba, Castro wanted to eliminate racism and class rankings for access to the necessities of life, like education, healthcare, employment, and home ownership so in adopting this way of thinking, he could create a society where production and distribution of goods is handled from each person according to his ability, to each person according to his needs.

For Cuba, this was a way to gain economic wealth and health for all people regardless of their ancestral ethnicity. The concept is not so bad considering that Cuba has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the world at 2%. Cuba also has more home ownership than the US, and because everyone has a right to a free and equal education, Cuban people are very literate. So I ask the question, is Socialism or Communism really that bad?

Part of the split of the US from Cuba was the Capitalist approach to economics that the US had in Cuba. This "big business makes the rules" mentality conflicted with what Fidel Castro was trying to achieve. Therefore, he nationalized big American companies and which made the US lose money and power but made the Cuban people get the resources they needed. After the Spanish/American War, which intercepted the Cuban War of Independence, US companies owned 40% of the Cuban sugar lands and 80% of the utilities. They controlled all the leaders and the military police until the revolution stepped in and won the war for the people. There was a distinct difference between the European Cubans and the Afro Cubans in how they were treated and what resources they had access too. Castro's communistic Socialism approach allowed equal opportunity for education and jobs. Now of course nothing is perfect and racism still exists to a certain degree in Cuba, but nothing like it is or was in the US. Most people, no matter what their skin color is thinks of themselves as Cubans. Afro Cubans make up 60% of the people in Cuba. The diaspora of the African ancestry is evident in their music, dance, religion, and food. Although the US has not lifted the embargos on Cuba and still restricts US visitors, all other countries have lifted embargos and their country is thriving. The tourism industry has grown, and trade has improved with other countries which results in free quality healthcare and free quality education.

Assatta Shakur is a black activist who has lived in Cuba in political asylum from the United States for many years. The government set her up to be convicted of a crime she did not commit. In 1971 she was sentenced to 33 years plus life in prison and was sent to a men's prison for six years of torture. She was able to escape and seek political asylum and exile in Cuba. Shakur's birthname was Joanne Byron. She changed her name as an adult to fully identify with the struggles of her African heritage and to place at the forefront the knowledge of the African diaspora that caused her to be a part of the United States. Her view on Capitalism was revolutionary. She felt that in order to rid the world of exploitation meant we must rid the world of Capitalism. Capitalism meant that rich businessmen owned the wealth, while Socialism meant that the people who made the wealth owned it. One of the lessons that Assatta taught us through her ordeal and struggles is that we cannot elect or reform our way to freedom. Her philosophy follows that of a socialist, meaning that in order to win our freedom, we would need to fight in the same way people in Africa, Cuba, and other countries across the globe have fought throughout history, and that is through a socialist revolution. This revolution would have to be one in which the power is held in the hands of the majority, the workers who create the wealth of society. Below is a small clip of Assata Shakur, get to know her.