People & Power - Reforming Cuba's ailing economy - 14 Mar 09 - Part 1

People & Power looks at the effects of Cubas economic reforms. Fifty years ago, Cubans embraced his socialist principles. But now, after almost two decades of economic hardship, an increasing number of Cubans, especially the young, no longer believe in the socialist dream their grandparents fought for.

Castro's brother Raul, who now leads the country, has embarked on a series of social and economic reforms that embody the principles of capitalism more than they do socialism.
Among the reforms, the change in the agricultural sector and salary system have been the most ambitious. Raul's new system gives Cubans who earn a typical salary of just $17 a month an incentive to work hard and make more money, allowing workers to earn performance bonuses. The concept itself is astonishing to generations who have been raised in a hard-line Communist Party doctrine emphasizing equality in all things, including wages.
The hope is that the reforms will kick start the ailing Cuban economy, but for many young Cubans, this is too little, too late. When the Soviet Union ended its financial support for Cuba in 1990, the shortcomings of Castro's socialist experiment were exposed, persuading many young Cubans to try and leave the country, risking everything to reach the shores of the world's most capitalist country, America.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Castro
• Cuba
• Aljazeera
• Al Jazeera
• Raul
• Cuban Reforms
• Soviet Union
• Samah El-Shahat

[collegeprof86]

the cold war has been over for an entire generation - 20 years as of 12/25/1991 when Mikhal Gorbachev dissolved the Soviet Union. It is long past the time to not just normalize relations between Cuba and the US, but to become friends again. The concept of ideological warfare is old skool. We need 21st century thinking, about what is best for the people - sharing and caring and loving one another. peace, pass it on

[illnastic]

The trade bloc is whats screwing Cuba. The US will do everything in its power to make sure the cuban economy suffers...

[Chapulinazuladomx]

The only reason the U.S needs cuba is to use it as jump board for cocaine smuggling to florida.

[Chapulinazuladomx]

Cuba es un narco-estado con un gobierno títere controlado por la CIA

[venezuela1999]

Como van a decir que Fidel Castro ha hecho cosas buenas???? Realmente todo lo que ha hecho es dañar al pais!!! Por eso es que economia, y todo esta en mal estado! 9:10--> el muchacho en negro tiene toda la razon!!

[venezuela1999]

Como van a decir que Fidel Castro ha hecho cosas buenas???? Realmente todo lo que ha hecho es dañar al pais!!! Por eso es que economia, y todo esta en mal estado!

[Tassieray1]

Danger, danger, Jew Banksters. Wherever they are allowed in a country the citizens of that country will finally become slaves to the Jew Banksters.

[Vastvisionist]

Don't let the US system corrupt your natural resources and way of life! Preserve and protect your water, land, crops for the people. Material wealth is an illusion created by elitists to keep you under control, and distract you from the fruits of nature which feed your lively hood. Push for decentralization in everything, so that corrupt persons may be held accountable for their actions. Good luck, and long live Cuba!

[xxxdieselyyy2]

And to the dude @ 9:47.....wanna see "other parts of the world" ? ? ? Why not hitch a ride to shantytown Mumbai.....

[xxxdieselyyy2]

Instead of wasting all that money buying crap 4 boats, I'd spend it on food for my daughter.

[xxxdieselyyy2]

Feel bad for that boat building dude. Watch him get 2 Miami and get stuck in McDonalds job sunken w/ debts. That boat guy reminds me of myself in my country India in 1991 when we liberalized. I gleefully welcomed it and now it's a huge cucumber up our collective rectal windpipes.

That dude needs 2 take a look at other countries like Dominica, Haiti, Jamaica and see how life goes on in liberalized carribeans.

[chingatumadreex]

Great programming. Gracias!