The Cuban Revolution Today: Proposals of Changes, Scenarios, and Alternatives 27
cesses. The dilemma is not whether to perfect socialism or to restore
capitalism. Without forgetting the contributions of Marxism-Lenin-
ism, the Asian socialism of China and Vietnam, and the thought of
Che and Fidel, what is needed is substantial qualitative change.
Certain principles will have to rule twenty-first-century socialism in
Cuba: the predominance of use value over exchange value, the democ-
ratization of all spheres of the social life and especially of the state,
social equality, a society of culture and knowledge rather than one of
consumption, sustainable development, and collective—not necessar-
ily state—ownership of the means of production.
Twenty-first-century socialism in the Cuban case should be charac-
terized by the preservation of state ownership of the strategic sectors
of the economy and social services such as education and health;
cooperative forms, self-management, the reduction of the state econ-
omy, and decentralization must be promoted. This means neither neo-
liberal privatization nor a capitalist market economy but a form of
“socialist market economy” regulated by appropriate taxes. In the
political sphere it will be necessary to promote significant participa-
tion in decision-making processes and not only in debate, and there
must be regularity and transparency in the processes of accountability.
Forms of the socialist market economy that lead to great social differ-
ences should be avoided through the preservation of the social secu-
rity system and Cuban socialism’s achievements in the social area.
There is debate whether to think of China—and somewhat simi-
larly Vietnam—as mainly socialist country or mainly capitalist. China
of course still proclaims itself socialist and is governed by the Com-
munist Party. While its internal economy and world trade operate on
market principles, I consider this not the definitive abandonment of
socialism but a tactical retreat. We cannot forget that more than 300
million Chinese have come out of poverty with the socialist market
economy. Nevertheless, socialism is at a crossroads in China, and it
may be defeated by capitalist forces. Some people on the political left