More Cuban Reforms

Cuba in 1958 had a per capita GDP of $3,170 according to the OECD. (Canada‘s was $8,947) … the island nation’s per person wealth was higher than any East Asian country or colony, save Japan, which barely beat Cuba at only $3,290. Hong Kong had a per capita GDP of $2,924, Singapore‘s was $2,294 …

What has happened in the 50 years since 1958? Did Cuba build on this leading position and pull ahead?

No.

Singapore’s GDP per capita is now something like $49,000.

Cuba’s GDP per capita has surged to a mighty … $4,500.

This beyond belief record of Castrovian incompetence is still exalted in Western media: the historical importance of Cuba’s struggle for social justice and sovereignty and its creative social mobilisation will continue to echo beyond its time and place

Er, yes. But not for the reasons you think.

So Socialist Cuba is Great. But when Castro 2 starts to dig Cuba out of its deep hole by instituting puny bits and bobs of market-based incentives, the regime is praised for ‘reforming’. Maybe they would have done stunningly better not to have implemented all those stupid restrictions requiring ‘reforms’ in the first place?

This reminds me of Gorbachev’s ‘reforms’ – after several years of Communist Party blathering it was still impossible to buy a fresh banana in Moscow until the whole thing just keeled over.

Oh, and yes Guardian readers. Singapore also has a ‘social’ and remarkably successful health service.