Lies Lies & Stats – at first glance Lev's stats look impressive for the Cuban govt, until we look more closely.

“on about one seventh of the US average income Cuba managed to produce health and educational outcomes that are equal to or very close to those of the USA.”

“On the Gender Development Index, which measures female life expectancy, adult literacy and combined enrolment as a percentage of the male figure, Cuba ranks 2nd out of 156 countries. The US is 107th (down there with the UAE, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe).”

First of all Cuba’s real income is a lot higher than that. Most Cubans work in the informal sector which is not recorded in gdp figures. Being a socialist state, private enterprise is officially illegal, but they all do it anyway to make ends meet. So hardly an indicator of the “success” of the Cuban govt's economic management. Secondly, Cuba was permanently weaned by the USSR and now Venezuela (highly subsidised oil), China (long-term loans) & ongoing from American Cubans sending over cash. So that’s how Cuba is able to maintain the level of health care it has.

As for the Gender Development Index (& its sister the Gender Enrolment Index), this is one misleading index full stop. At first glance that stat suggests that there is much higher gender equality in Cuba than America. In the same way as a dead man & woman are equal too. So what. I think that stat hides a lot more than it reveals.

Having said the above, I've never understood the degree of ongoing hostile rhetoric toward Castro's Cuba from the US. During the cold war, yes, but not now. Socialist state, OK, but relatively benign really. On a US online forum I asked the question 'was Castro really that bad, & if so, give me some evidence'. The response was plenty of hot air but precious little else. Yet from the tone you'd think they were talking about Stalinist USSR. All 3 candidates in the US election haven't passed up the opportunity to take a passing swipe at Castro, almost as if it's part of the job requirement. McCains quip the other night that “America hopes you'll be meeting Karl Marx real soon" was totally inappropriate (in one sense, although funny in another). Then again, I’m sure the rhetoric from the Cuban govt has been pretty similar. If this is as bad as it got between foes, it would be a lot more peaceful world.

“And yet, Castro has outlived them all:”

No, the President of the USA has been performing his duties since George Washington was first elected.

And the President of USA will endure beyond that day when both Castro and his anointed successor are both dead and buried.

The difference?

Castro is a despot who has appointed his successor, like a roman emperor groomed or later bred his heir.

The President of USA is a post which is appointed through a democratic process.

“Castro will be remembered as a formidable foe to American imperialism.”

I always considered him as the western outpost of Soviet imperialism.

Certainly, Cuba felt the pinch when Moscow scaled back on the “fiscal largesse” for support of its offshore military wing.

IMHO the world will be a better place when Castro is but dust in the dirt. Good riddance.

I must admit a friend treated me to a cinema ticket to see Sicko by Michael Moore and Michael Moore took some good samaritans who were the fore front being rescuers during 9/11 tragedy to Cuba because the United States Government failed to help them. I Cuba they got first class treatment. I understand that Cuba used to be run by the Mafia until Fidel rescued the people with the revolution. That Country has been under siege by the United States ever since.

KGB,

What you say about the GDP would be true if it didn't include black market (and more importantly, barter) estimates and if that values are significantly different to the normal GDP per capita measure. AFIAK, parity measures of GDP do include these estimations.

Unlike you're "equal when dead", as previously explained life expectency is very close to that of the United States. If you're going to criticise a measure at least use the criteria it uses.

The reality is that Cuba is the country with the highest HDI in central america and the Caribean, with the exception of the Bahamas and Costa Rica, both of which it is very close to (ranked 51st, 48th and 49th).

Lev,

Can you give me one gdp measure that includes the informal sector? I can think of none. In fact that is often cited as a major weakness of gpd figures, especially when comparing developing countries with developing countries.

Re the “equal when dead” comment, I wasn’t referring to the life expectancy figures but to the alleged superior gender equality in Cuba compared to the US. A dead man & woman are equal. As I say, the gdi is well-known as a potentially very misleading indicator. I’m aware that the gdi is based on life expectancy among other things, & that only clouds it’s meaning.

Not disputing Cuba’s impressive HDI figure in the region. My point is to what extent is that due to Cuba’s economic management? They can take part of the credit, yes, & Venezuela, China & American Cubans can take part of the credit too.

I think when Raul arrives on the scene, they’ll do even better. He’s already initiated a debate on the shortcomings of the communist economy. He knows it’s high time to move on.

Julie,

As for Michael Moore’s political stunt, personally I’d take that with a grain of salt. Moore has an agenda & the Cuban govt were only too happy to comply. I’m sure America could give better health care to the ailing Fidel than the Cubans if they really wanted & I’m sure you’d see that as a stunt if they did. What better way to embarrass the US than to take over some 9/11 victims. Moore was using the victims to make a film to add to his millions. What a hypocrite.

Fact is Cubans have voted with their feet, with 2 mill out of 13 mill having fled the country in the past 50 years. That is huge. That figure would be a lot higher if the Cuban govt (with US assistance) hadn’t put all sorts of restrictions on others taking off as well. I’m sure the East German health care was pretty good too, but…..Do the math.