Economic prosperity. Theoretically, communism would be able to afford a pretty decent lifestyle for everyone. It got fucked up in Russia because they started spending large portions of GDP on weapons, among other things. Productivity is really high these days, and if Cuba were to become more wealthy (trade with the US can help), it would surely benefit the average cuban. If it got opened up to tourism, that would accomplish a lot. There would be an incentive to make the place look presentable, there would be new development and construction, new jobs, money flowing in. Moreover, it would open Cuba to the US in a way that it hasn't been open before. Americans will become more aware of the place, and increase pressure for Castro to clean up his act. And he'll do it too, cause he will want to keep good relations with us, and want to keep the dollars flowing in.
I don't want it to sound like a pro-Cuba policy is a cure-all, but it's pretty clear that exiling a country from the international community isn't a good way to promote democracy, economic development, or good relations with the US. Just look at Iraq, North Korea, Iran, and others. We can't afford to have a policy driven by political pandering and old-fashioned red baiting. For one thing, it's not clear that communist countries are inherently worse than autocratic or dictatorial ones. For another, it is clear that the Cuban people specifically would welcome American influence, and that's an opportunity we can't squander. Sure, it might strengthen Castro in the short term, but he's getting old, he's not a threat, and shutting him off doesn't really accomplish anything.
__________________
"Erections lasting more than 4 hours, though rare, require immediate medical attention."
|