Cuban Trade Embargo -- another Roadblock to Globalism
To be sure, the concept of "globalization" is a confusing one. Although a world in which trade is not restricted between nations, and the earth becomes a kind of "united economic entity," ruled by the equalizing nature of the market is a pleasant image, many believe that such a "pie in the sky" view of globalization is horribly wrong -- idealistic, unlikely, and even dangerous. Indeed, whereas political leaders of "first world" nations are quick to tout the benefits of a globalizing world, others, like writer Joseph Stiglitz, believe that "integration with the global economy works just fine when sovereign countries define the terms. It works disastrously when terms are dictated." (Stiglitz, 2002). Unfortunately, this is exactly the position in which so called "third world" countries find themselves. Even worse, when these countries are also under the thumb of an economic embargo, the results can be even more disastrous -- both "in country," as well as globally.
Much like Iraq, pre-war, the nation of Cuba has suffered from years of economic hardship due to a trade embargo imposed by the United States. The embargo was established as a full scale trade embargo on February 3, 1962, as a result of the birth of Fidel Castro's Soviet-allied communist regime. However, as a result of this embargo, much more than purely economic hardships began to emerge, and Cuban citizens began to experience drastic rises in poverty and suffering. As a result, especially in today's post cold-war world, many wonder if the increasingly globalized world economy has any use for the continued embargo of Cuba -- as well as if the negative effects on the economies of Cuba and the world are adversely affected as a result of its continued existence.
To be sure, economic life is extremely difficult within Cuba -- ranging from high consumer prices to high fuel costs (for example, Cubana Airlines must not only pay higher materials prices, but higher fuel prices as a result of being unable to fly over U.S. territory). (La Franchi) In addition, access to health care, technology, and opportunities for global movement of its citizens is also adversely effected, so much so that Cuban sugarcane farmers are forced to plow their fields with oxen rather than tractors.
Interestingly, the historic record of trade embargos with an intent to force political issues (regime change in Cuba, compliance with post gulf-war weapons inspections in Iraq) is notoriously ineffectual. Indeed, although he Soviet Union collapsed long ago, Fidel Castro remains fully in power in spite of trade sanctions (many might say due to trade sanctions that have weakened the people). If, then, the embargo is not effective,…
Efficacy and Quality of Cuba's Educational Program Tensions continue to wax and wane between the two countries, but Cuba's economy has largely stabilized and the situation between Castro's country and the United States is also essentially at an impasse (Suddath 2009). The increased stabilization of the Cuban economy and society has led to many internal changes in the country, however, and these have largely been to the benefit of Cuba and
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Those officials who did look at the question of Japanese intentions decided that Japan would never attack, because to do so would be irrational. Yet what might seem irrational to one country may seem perfectly logical to another country that has different goals, values, and traditions. (Kessler 98) The failures apparent in the onset of World War II and during the course of the war led indirectly to the creation
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..." Quirk is noted to have said that: "Many times in later years Castro spoke of his ignorance as a university student. He admitted to being a 'political illiterate' and had studied law, he said, not because he felt an attraction to the legal profession but because his family expected it." (Quirk; as cited by Escobar, 2004) Fidel Castro became involved in political activism and became a widely renowned orator
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