USA: +1(669)289-8683 
Sign in
Capitalism Versus Socialism: The Cuban Quandary
Course Discussion Expectations
Read the Discussion Participation Scoring Guide to learn how your instructor will evaluate your discussion participation throughout this course.
Important note: using proper APA-formatted citations and references.
Activity Instruction
Consider the struggle between social equality and the free market in Cuba. In your opinion, which force will win? Why do you think this?
Draw on your unit readings, the video Capitalism Versus Socialism: The Cuban Quandary, and your own research on the topic to support your position. Be sure you follow APA guidelines for citations and references.
Resources
Discussion Participation Scoring Guide.
Capitalism Versus Socialism: The Cuban Quandary (see link below) | Transcript.
Link for : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wn79HNpbkDY
Due Date: Weekly.
Percentage of Course Grade: 30%.
Discussion Participation Grading Rubric
Criteria Non-performance Basic Proficient Distinguished
Applies relevant course
concepts, theories, or
materials correctly.
Does not explain relevant
course concepts, theories, or
materials.
Explains relevant course
concepts, theories, or materials.
Applies relevant course
concepts, theories, or
materials correctly.
Analyzes course concepts, theories,
or materials correctly, using
examples or supporting evidence.
Collaborates with fellow
learners, relating the
discussion to relevant course
concepts.
Does not collaborate with
fellow learners.
Collaborates with fellow
learners without relating
discussion to the relevant
course
concepts.
Collaborates with fellow
learners, relating the
discussion to relevant course
concepts.
Collaborates with fellow learners,
relating the discussion to relevant
course concepts and extending the
dialogue.
Applies relevant professional,
personal, or
other real-world
experiences.
Does not contribute
professional, personal, or
other real-world
experiences.
Contributes professional,
personal, or other real-world
experiences, but lacks
relevance.
Applies relevant professional,
personal, or other real-world
experiences.
Applies relevant professional,
personal, or other real-world
experiences to extend the dialogue.
Supports position with
applicable
knowledge.
Does not establish relevant
position.
Establishes relevant position. Supports position with
applicable knowledge.
Validates position with applicable
knowledge.
Participation Guidelines
Actively participate in discussions. To do this you should create a substantive post for each of the
discussion topics. Each post should demonstrate your achievement of the participation criteria. In
addition, you should also respond to the posts of at least two of your fellow learners for each discussion
question-unless the discussion instructions state otherwise. These responses to other learners should also
be substantive posts that contribute to the conversation by asking questions, respectfully debating
positions, and presenting supporting information relevant to the topic. Also, respond to any follow-up
questions the instructor directs to you in the discussion area.
To allow other learners time to respond, you are encouraged to post your initial responses in the
discussion area by midweek. Comment to other learners’ posts are due by Sunday at 11:59 p.m. (Central
time zone).
Discussion Participation Scoring Guide
Page 1 of 1Discussion Participation Scoring Guide
1/9/2018https://courserooma.capella.edu/bbcswebdav/institution/MBA/MBA6008/170100/Scoring_…
CAPITALISM VERSUS SOCIALISM: THE CUBAN QUANDARY
Speaker
After World War II ended in 1945, America’s top enemy for 50 years was an economic system that
seemed unstoppable. Communism, the extreme form of socialism, its chief champion Russia, head of the
Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
Male
One country of nine million square miles, that is our own country, three times over or all of North
America in a million square miles to boot.
Speaker
The USSR threatened to export its system worldwide and had nuclear weapons to back up the threat. The
US risked Russian attack in the name of freedom, democracy instead of dictatorship. The economic
freedom of a free market filled with choices instead of a command economy where government does the
choosing. The idea of socialism or communism though, can be quite appealing. An economy based on
sharing, collective effort for the common good. In the 1930’s, this economic system actually seemed an
alternative to the risky free market capitalism of Europe and the US then suffering a great depression
with unemployment of 25%. By contrast, Russian workers was said to be fully employed, happy, equal.
Why even orchestras said the propaganda films had no conductor, no boss.
Male
There is no leader. You will notice that the eye of the musician is all his own, his music.
Speaker
But the image was a charade since bureaucrats, not the market set prices and production quotas, supply
and demand never met. Since everyone got paid the same, there was scant incentive to make good
products. Command non-market economies eventually collapsed in Russia and elsewhere. And yet a few
countries still swear by socialism, among the most extreme, Cuba, just 90 miles from Florida. No longer
supported by Russia, Cuba is now struggling with the tensions between free market capitalism and
government controlled socialism.
For the economic tourist, Cuba and especially its main city Havana is a surprise. Yes, there are plenty of
the expected third word vignettes, the make work jobs, the make shift travel arrangements, a public
transportation system bursting at the scenes. When the Soviet Union collapsed and its subsidies
vanished, people were nearly starving here. But in recent years, a major makeover has been in progress.
Cuba decided to sell its culture, its climate, and its beaches to foreigners. And so tourist poured in all over
the country from all over the world. Hotels now abound, especially in Havana and new ones are going up,
built by everyone from the Spanish, to the Chinese. The US forbids doing business with Cuba, but Cuban
joint ventures with the Japanese and Koreans have brought in household gear you might see at any
American shopping mall. And supermarkets offer on almost all Cuban clientele, everything from Brazilian
diet gelo to Jack Daniels and Jonny Walker red. This year’s sales at the super Mercado?
Page 1 of 4Transcript – Capitalism Versus Socialism: The Cuban Quandary
1/9/2018http://media.capella.edu/CourseMedia/mba6008/ts_MBA6008/Capital_trans/ts.html
Male
Up to this moment, they are $ 6,324,000.00. The average bill per customer is $17.36.
Speaker
That is right. Here you pay not in Cuban Pesos, but in US dollars encouraged after the Russians pulled
out. Tourism and foreign investment helped dollars now reached it is estimated more than half the
Cuban population. In short, it seems like capitalism is taking root. On the other hand, many Cubans still
think capitalists are pigs. Business is dirty, and that all production should be sold to and through the
state, as these real pigs will be as soon as they fatten up.
Male
The state gives me everything I need, the grain, the breeding stock. So my commitment is to them.
Sometimes the private guy show up, but I do not trust their scale. With the state, I always have
confidence.
Speaker
The government still issues family a monthly ration book for enough food to survive. Dictator Fidel Castro
has banned billboard advertising in favor political propaganda featuring revolutionary martyr Che
Guevara and slogans like, “This is the socialist revolution right under the nose of the US.” And when we
try to interview a-would be immigrant, the police stopped us, took our documents, and wanted to take us
downtown. We sneak these shots from our van. The government did let us interview prominent
dissidents. At least those who were not in jail like Elizardo Sanchez. But they said Cuba is as un-free as
ever.
Elizardo Sanchez
What we have here is closer to the Soviet Totalitarian system and absolute state monopoly that controls
virtually everything down to the barber shops.
Speaker
In Cuba then, an economics reporter can feel totally confused. At some moments, you think Castro has
saved that the command economy and right under Uncle Sam’s nose. At other times, it seems clear the
free market is burrowing irresistibly from within.
The elite Lenin High School we figured might be one place to sort things out. Since this is Cuba’s training
ground for the next generation. A group of English speakers was waiting for us.
Female
My schoolmates, I tell you, you are welcome and I hope you get satisfied with our school, with our
students, with us. Thank you.
Male
Well thank you.
Speaker
We have got the red carpet treatment and it kept getting redder.
Female
We do not want capitalist, we have… we want socialist.
Page 2 of 4Transcript – Capitalism Versus Socialism: The Cuban Quandary
1/9/2018http://media.capella.edu/CourseMedia/mba6008/ts_MBA6008/Capital_trans/ts.html
Female
We are the same people. We have the same clothes, the same things. It is not that the other country, that
you are better than me because you had a new Adidas and I do not.
Speaker
The kids at Lenin High seemed determined to sustain socialist equality even if it means no Adidas. And as
for the market changes, Cuba’s made…
Female
We do not want those changes. We have to put them there because we need them. When we do not, if
we do not need them anymore, we will fade it.
Male
Fade it?
Speaker
They will fade it. That is phase out the free market experiment that Cuba has had to conduct. Now maybe
these market changes are temporary and schools like these will restore Cuba’s purest past. Or maybe
instead, Cuba’s many private markets are already beyond the point where anyone can fade them. Food
production is exported for instance because of free market incentives that let farmers sell privately some
of what they produce. So incentives work.
Male
Clearly yes, it is obvious. That is the way it works everywhere.
Speaker
Incentives not only mean more food, more available without long waiting lines. They also mean better
food at the private markets.
Male
It is better quality. This is what people are looking for. There is less fat, there is less bone you
understand?
Speaker
You even see Socialism versus Capitalism at the old ball game. Omar Linares is a slugging superstar who
has had million dollar offers from US teams but turned them all down. Why?
Omar Linares
I prefer to stay in Cuba because this is my country. Everything I have accomplished, I owe to the
revolution.
Speaker
On the field, the Socialist party line. In the stands, however entrepreneurship runs rampant.
Male
$5.00, Omar Linares no, this does not say Linares. It says a different name.
Male
It is the way he signs, he does it real fast.
Page 3 of 4Transcript – Capitalism Versus Socialism: The Cuban Quandary
1/9/2018http://media.capella.edu/CourseMedia/mba6008/ts_MBA6008/Capital_trans/ts.html
Male
He signs with another name?
Male
I do not know, maybe he was in a hurry.
Speaker
The question is, can social equality hold out as the market marches in? A question so much in the air, it is
the punch line of Cuba’s top joke. Judging by how often we heard it, the Hotel Nacional gag. A girl dumps
her boyfriend the joke goes, because he pretended to be a hot shot at Havana’s richest tourist hotel. He
swore he was a doorman at the Nacional, the girlfriend fumes. In fact, you know what he does? He was
just another damn Cuban neurosurgeon. In other words, there are Cubans paid by the state, Cubans paid
by the market and less and less do their wages meet. It was no joke to economist in Cuban exile, Antonio
Morales-Pita.
Antonio Morales-Pita
For me to become a professor, I had to study. Twenty years, I have to work very hard. I have to sacrifice
part of my youth, part of my marriage in order to become qualified. And then these are the person, has
finished eighth grade or ninth grade in grade school. How is it possible that you are going to make ten
times more than I make? I mean does it make any sense.
Male
Because you are undervalued.
Antonio Morales-Pita
You are undervalued.
Male
And eventually, they are not going to be very many bright people become professor.
Antonio Morales-Pita
Of course not, of course not, of course not.
Speaker
In Cuba, the struggle between market freedom and non-market rules rides on. You see it in sugar mills in
the country side, parking lots in the city, and the streets of downtown Havana. The question is, can
socialism hold out here in the face of a global market economy?
REFERENCES McGraw-Hill Education: Capitalism Versus Socialism: The Cuban Quandary
L i c e n s e d u n d e r a C r e a t i v e C o m m o n s A t t r i b u t i o n 3 . 0 L i c e n s e .
Page 4 of 4Transcript – Capitalism Versus Socialism: The Cuban Quandary
1/9/2018http://media.capella.edu/CourseMedia/mba6008/ts_MBA6008/Capital_trans/ts.html
Capitalism Versus Socialism: The Cuban Quandary
Course Discussion Expectations
Read the
Discussion Participation Scoring Guide
to learn how your instructor will evaluate your discussion participation throughout this course.
Important note: using proper APA-formatted citations and references.
Activity Instruction
Consider the struggle between social equality and the free market in Cuba. In your opinion, which force will win? Why do you think this?
Draw on your unit readings, the video Capitalism Versus Socialism: The Cuban Quandary, and your own research on the topic to support your position. Be sure you follow APA guidelines for citations and references.
Resources
Discussion Participation Scoring Guide.
Capitalism Versus Socialism: The Cuban Quandary (see link below) |
Transcript
.
Link for :
Cuba Under Raul Castro’s Reforms
February 22, 2013
By Isaac Risco
HAVANA TIMES —
Characterized by economic
reforms and political
stagnation, over his seven
years in power, Raul Castro
has promoted a series of
changes in Cuba aimed at
bringing the island out of
chronic economic crisis
without relinquishing its
one-party socialist model,
in place since 1959,
reported DPA news on
Friday.
Hailed by analysts and the island’s population for his “pragmatism,” the younger
Castro ended many of the reforms restrictions in place for decades. These have
been gradually reducing the state monopoly enshrined as economic policy since
the 60s.
The elimination of various “absurd prohibitions” — as a senior Cuban leader
described them in 2008 — marked the first year of his administration. However,
some of the still outstanding measures announced by Raul Castro include wage
increases and the elimination of the dual currency (the island has two official
currencies: the Cuban peso, with which public sector wages are paid; and the
convertible peso, or “hard currency,” based on the value of the US dollar and with
an exchange rate of 1:24 against the regular Cuban peso).
Popular Posts
A New Year with
a More
Dangerous and
Unequal World
Nicaraguan
Immigrants
Fear
Deportation
When the
Temporary Protected Status
Ends
Cuba’s
Presidential
Line of
Succession
Will Ensure
Continuity
What Are
Cubans
Celebrating
with the
New Year
?
Are the
Cuban
People to
Blame?
As the
Cuban
Revolution
Turns 59
↸ NEWS FEATURES OPINION DIARIES PHOTO FEATURES NICARAGUA ABOUT US SPANISH
Page 1 of 4Cuba Under Raul Castro’s Reforms – Havana Times.org
1/9/2018https://www.havanatimes.org/?p=88201
The following are some of the key measures and reforms introduced by Raul
Castro since 2008. The younger brother of Fidel Castro is expected to be reelected
in the coming days by the Cuban parliament to another 5-year term in office.
Sales of computers, DVDs and other home appliances: One of the first measures
in the first months of his administration was the authorization of the sale of home
appliances such as microwaves, computers, DVD players and electric scooters.
Despite the measure not being announced in the official press, many Cubans
flooded stores on April 1, 2008 to buy goods previously available only on the black
market.
Luxury hotels: On March 31, 2008 hotel managers were surprised at the lifting of
the ban that for more than a decade had prevented Cubans from staying in luxury
facilities. Since then, it has been common to see Cubans who can afford to stay in
tourist hotels at the Varadero beach resort.
Cellphones: The government authorized the sale of mobile phone service starting
April 14, 2008. Since then, the public has been able to buy prepaid mobile phone
cards. Access to Internet service, however, remains off limits to the vast majority
of Cubans.
“Self-employment”: In October 2010 the government expanded authorizations
for opening small businesses (in 178 different types of work) in the private sector.
Since then, the number of people working in what’s called the “self-employment”
sector has reached by almost 400,000, according to official figures from December
2012. This measure led to an explosion of private businesses in Havana, especially
in the food service sector.
Transfers of land in usufruct: In July 2008, the mass transfer in usufruct of idle
land to individuals was ordered. This reform, aimed at stimulating agricultural
production on the island, has been expanded in recent years by other measures
such as the recent granting of building permits on land being farmed in usufruct.
The buying and selling of houses and cars: In October 2011, the Raul Castro
government announced the liberalization of the auto sales market, allowing
Cubans to buy and sell used cars (restrictions remain in place for new cars). A
month later, he also liberalized the sale of real estate. Free market sales of real
estate have also caused the flourishing of informal realtor activities.
Bank loans: Cuban state-run banks begin making loans to individuals starting in
December 2011. Measures to encourage private initiative have also been applied
to farmers who work land in usufruct and people performing construction work
on their homes. On February 21, the government extended credit facilities to
permit the use of personal collateral (such as jewelry) to obtain loans.
Immigration reform: One of the measures most desired by Cubans was
announced by President Raul Castro in October 2012. He called for the
elimination of exit permit requirements (the “carte blanche”) and letters of
invitation for Cubans to be able to travel – restrictions that had been in place for
decades. After the measures were implemented on January 14, even the well-
known dissident blogger Yoani Sanchez was able to leave the island. In the new
Page 2 of 4Cuba Under Raul Castro’s Reforms – Havana Times.org
1/9/2018https://www.havanatimes.org/?p=88201
Recent Posts
Details of My Arrest and My Captors
January 9,
2018
Get HT in your Email Tags
← Cuba Makes Loans Easier for Self-Employed
Russia Sells 8 Airliners to Cuba →
law, the government can still require some restrictions on highly-trained
professionals, professional-level athletes, and for reasons of “national
security” (interpreted by some as being particularly applicable to people in the
opposition).
4 Comments Havana Times.org Login 1
Share⤤ Sort by Best
LOG IN WITH
OR SIGN UP WITH DISQUS
Name
Join the discussion…
?
• Reply •
Roger Lamb • 5 years ago
I think we support, and actually cheer for every reform. The Cuban people have
suffered for far too long. As restrictions have eased, we should be encouraging
travel to Cuba from the U.S. Maybe we could actually show some leadership and
make headway in divesting them from the Russian/Chinese influences.
• Reply •
ROBERT VOLLENDORFF • 5 years ago
SOUNDS LIKE GREAT IMPROVEMENTS.MOST LIKELY MORE WELL BE
COMING
• Reply •
Landon • 10 months ago> ROBERT VOLLENDORFF
Is your keyboard stuck in all caps?
• Reply •
austin • 10 months ago> Landon
No you idiot he can do what he wants to
Recommend 3
Share ›
Share ›
Share ›
Share ›
Page 3 of 4Cuba Under Raul Castro’s Reforms – Havana Times.org
1/9/2018https://www.havanatimes.org/?p=88201
US Studies Possible Viral Attacks on its
Diplomats in Cuba January 9, 2018
Havana’s Medieval Festival Jan 16-21
January 9, 2018
Remembering my father January 8,
2018
Different Ways of Celebrating the
Holidays January 8, 2018
Editor’s Corner
Have a look at the finalists and
winners of our eighth Cuba Photo
Contest and please share the pictures
with your friends.
Read More
Enter your email
Subscribe
Services
Log in
Entries RSS
Comments RSS
WordPress.org
Alberto N. Jones Elio Delgado
Legón Elio Delgado
Valdes Janis Hernandez Juan
Suarez Luis Rondon Paz Martin
Guevara Osmel Ramirez
Alvarez Peter C. Bjarkman Pilar
Montes Rogelio Manuel Diaz
Moreno Vicente
Morin Aguado
Havana Weather
Copyright © 2018 Havana Times – All rights reserved.
Page 4 of 4Cuba Under Raul Castro’s Reforms – Havana Times.org
1/9/2018https://www.havanatimes.org/?p=88201
