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Capitalism in Crisis: Globalization and World Politics Today

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This book is a collection of speeches delivered by Castro at various Cuban and international gatherings, addressing groups like the WTO and the South African parliament. It does not contain endless rhetoric and polemic, but rather an alternative point of view on the issues of globalisation and the emerging global economy. Castro's insights are worth reading, because he speaks as one outside of the system, partly because of Cuba's socialist economy, but even more so because they are closed out of the global economy by the US blocade. The book provides an useful overview of the Cuban government's understanding of these issues as well: the third chapter gives an excellent overview of Cuba and its relations with the USA and the Soviet Union from the revolution to the present day. Overall, this book is an excellent source of information for those interested in Cuban politics. Besides that, it provides useful warnings for the countries involved in globalisation and First World-Third World relations--warnings that come from a leader who, due to his forced international isolation, cannot speak out for selfish interests alone, but with a view to the good of all mankind.

Many books written by Dr. Fidel Castro are difficult if not impossible to find in the United States; I felt lucky to locate this one. It is a compilation of many speeches given in different parts of the world, and in each one Mr. Castro drives home his point that capitalism is not a viable economic structure for the longevity of mother earth or her inhabitants. He explains at length the effects of neocolonialism, the loss of culture, the abuse of natural resources, and the ever widening gap between the "haves" and the "have-nots."

As a lonely warrior who has fought for his & his people's dreams for years, Mr. Castro has exhibited his honest opinions on the capitalistic society & its catastrophic modus operandi in this era, which for most people who are well-enjoying their lives, are not AT ALL aware of.
The chapters of the books are organized in a seemingly logical way that educates and instil insights to the reader step by step. The content also lays out the important points of the development of capitalism, and of course, its gradual threat to humanity in a objective manner.
For those who doubt their existence and their un-conscious enslavement brought about through capitalism & hegemonic oppression, this book is a must-read option that opens your mind.

This book relates global issues historically and economically and does so without the American propaganda, nor the European which is tied up in US Hegemony and constraints. Fidel is a reader. I think that speaks for itself. I did my usual note taking when reading a book and this time around under what I call "quotes," I have so many that I couldn't possibly use all of them in this book review, there are just too many!

Fidel speaks of the American and global economy based on the U.S. dollar the US inflating the dollar no longer backed by gold, which then like the alchemists turns paper into gold. And when the trust is evaporated, which will happen one day, then we get the idea of the eschatological implications in a global economic crash far worse than the 1929 depression where only a small percentage invested in he stock market. Also the benefits of Europe's currency needed for their survival. What I really enjoyed was Castro words on Cuba when she several times re-evaluated the currency there. It has proven a truth that I find outweighs and shows the falseness of the free market fundamentalists of capitalism - libertarians and conservatives alike. If Cuba has followed the WTO and IMF she would have lost many educators, doctors and closed down hospitals and schools, (Although something all together different are the libertarians who reject all government intervention in favor of a helmless free market).

Just a short review here: Some of the thoughts conveyed are the superficiality of mass media and TV over the reading of books; the destruction of culture from US hegemonic values based on consumerism, sex, violence and extravagant life styles; capitalism consumer created pollution and the destruction of our planet; the WTO and US interests - an example is the private ownership of two banana U.S. corps vote for the removal of the privileges of the small Caribbean nations that severely depend on this industry - the Lemone Act. Anotherwards the WTO and the IMF, they would like to privatize all the poor underdeveloped as owned private property, countries for "free trade," This in turn would reduce all of Latin American to US large Corp. private property where persons, now mere commodities, would be reduced to cheap labor, including all the raw materials and so forth, all so to support the wealthy in the US so they can increase their automobiles and luxury items and so forth.

Also Cuba produces doctors that are sent out across the world in aid for the poorer people, all so under one of the most brutal blockades, now a double one since the demise of the Soviet Union.

Fidel speaks of the Cuban missile crises and the new declassified documents that Noam Chomsky also writes about in his book on US hegemony, of the U.S. scandalous lies and deceit against Cuba - the same they have recently employed against Iraq - but sadly for Iraq, they had no other superpower, the USSR, to back them for protection.

OK, there are thoughts on Bolivar, Marti, Marx, Freidman, Keynes, Hidalgo, Miranda, on Adam Smith and Lenin, on the author Garcia Marquez, on Roosevelt, Reagan and Carter, on the Serb and Yugoslavia - this man is a learned man and very informative- no beating around the bush, but straight forward and honestly open. He also speaks straight forward for Cuba, a country that has never tortured or murdered people for political gain, unlike the US record which is horrendous and then claims it fights for humanitarian purposes, using that as an accusation against other countries. The list of US abuses around the world are also brought out here.

Castro recognizes that world globalization is not only necessary but part of the historical process that must occur. The idea is not for the globalization based on imperialistic domination of a superpower which exploits poorer and weaker countries but rather a globalization that brings fraternal unity and peaceful relations in trade and economics and a balance of power and wealth. And the point is Cuba's history supports this belief. What does the U.S. record show? It simply cannot be defended honestly apart from blind nationalism.

There is also the lawsuit of the U.S. suing Cuba - 3 persons at over 62 million a piece and if you read how they came to this number you can question the U.S. Judicial system and the judges we have appointed there. In turn, now that the embarrassing U.S. declassified documents are out (not all of course), which openly reveal CIA terrorist operations in Cuba. Cuba has subsequently made a lawsuit against the U.S. with far reasonable claims in damages - the comparison is so blatant here. And what patriotic nationalist, free market fundamentalist and Right Wing absolutist will admit to themselves without emotional discharge the actions being taken here.

Inspiration is so important, especially when one is part of a society controlled by monkeys and vampires and other malignancies. So, let's talk about Castro.

What is there to say about one of the truly great men in world history? How many people throughout history have been blessed with the guts, strategic brilliance and cunning to become a leader of his people? And blessed with the deep sympathy and understanding of the powerless, the weak, the sad? As this book proves, Castro is one of the great intellectuals of his time and one of the great political historians. (Imagine the United States being led by a combination of Malcolm X and Noam Chomsky!) Fidel Castro is a man who could have used his power to be just another vampire, pimp, or baboon -- instead chose to be a protector of all those needing protection. And, yes, by any means necessary! Yes -- any means! Why give up the weapons of violence to the scum of the earth?

No!

Viva Fidel!

How can Fidel Castro make such an assertion, that capitalism is in crisis ? Having been to Cuba numberless times since 1993 until today, I have seen no other place in worse crisis than Cuba. If someone can claim that our Western capitalism is in crisis, Fidel Castro is surely not the best person to make such a claim. This book, filled with communist propaganda and Castro's old rhetoric, is a great tool for Castro to confuse those individuals who, for lack of better information or other reasons, still believe in the myth of world revolution and world socialism. The book is badly written, and I find it highly nauseating. Yet, by all means it is a book all scholars of Cuba or communism should read ! From that point of view, the book is an extremely valuable source of information on the thought (and "ideology", if you believe in such a thing) of Fidel Castro and his accolytes. But apart from that, the book is no more than expensive toilet paper, and I would not recommend it to anyone who is not working on the subject with a genuine interest in it. If you do share views close to those of Fidel Castro, there are plenty of great world academics even in the US (just think of Noam Chomsky), who are of far different calibre than Mr. Castro. Their books will never disappoint, whether or not you share those views.