This year, an ailing but still going Fidel Castro will turn 82. Castro used the early part of his life for the emancipation of Cuba and laying the basis for the radicalization of a whole new layer of youth in search of truth. Fidel along with the late Che Guevara led the armed struggle for the liberation of Cuba and indeed the whole Latin America. The eventual success of the armed struggle (itself a product of the inability of the Cuban capitalism under Batista to grant full democratic rights), after a series of setbacks, led to the formation of the first workers’ state. Fidel at first hesitated in moving the revolution (that was massively welcomed by the working poor of Cuba) forward towards socialism, but the pressure of events especially from the attacks by US imperialism; the further radicalization of the working poor of Cuba; and the resoluteness of some of the other leaders such as Che, pushed him to take to the road of socialism.

Less than three decades after the revolution, despite a US embargo and consequent isolation, the Cuban society under Fidel was able to achieve what many leading capitalist countries have not achieved in centuries. In Cuba one finds a well educated population (with over 90 percent literate) and a sound health system (with an average lifespan of 80 years). Of course, it can be argued that the presence of the Soviet Union under the Stalinists bureaucratic apparatus (a caricature of genuine socialist ideas as espoused by Marx, Engel and Lenin) helped Cuba, but the Soviet Union only supported Cuba as long as her expansionist interest was satisfied. This meant that Cuba would not criticize the Soviet bureaucracy, it would not struggle for democratic socialism within its own country, or internationalize the revolution and would accept Soviet goods at all cost.

All these had a terrible effect on Cuba as many inferior goods were brought in without any alternative. Any attempt to turn to the then “Communist” China would have incurred the wrath of the Stalinist bureaucracy in Russia. Lack of internationalization of the revolution along a Marxist line, at least within Latin America further isolated Cuba. Yet, despite the collapse of the Soviet Union, Cuba was still able to survive.

When Che went to the Soviet Union in early 1960’s, he was forced, despite his liking the Soviet Union, to criticize the bourgeoisie lifestyle of Soviet bureaucrats. This incurred the wrath of the Soviet bureaucracy, which tagged Che, a Trotskyite (a term used then to denigrate the followers and ideas of the foremost leader of the Russian Revolution, Leon Trotsky who fought against Stalinist degeneration of the revolution after the death of Lenin). Also, when Che launched a guerilla campaign for an international revolution, he was categorized as an adventurer by the Soviet bureaucracy. This was contrary to a genuine Marxist position which would encouraged the building of revolutionary movements among the working people of the third world countries who were radicalized by the liberation movements and especially the Cuban revolution rather than launching a revolution over their heads thus giving the capitalist state excuse to behead genuine working people’s movement.

But the singular attempt and aspiration by Che (and Castro) for an international revolution against imperialism has inspired youth activists across the world (even capitalists have turned him into a commodity). The Soviet bureaucracy that had the power to build an international socialist movement deliberately abandoned this vision.

The best of the contemporary capitalist rulers from US to Europe to Asia cannot be compared to Fidel. He has inspired a generation to fight for their freedom while the former brought the working people of the world wars, misery, poverty and exploitation in the search of profit. Of course, Cuba needs democracy but not the market democracy that has led to misery for the working poor.

Cuba needs genuine socialist democracy where the huge gains of the nationalized economy will be realized by the collective leadership of the working people. There is need for a socialist multi-party democracy from local to national level in Cuba and the ability of the people to determine and discuss every government policy. This will appeal to the working poor of the world and lay the basis for revolution in the whole of Latin America (which is now under radicalization from Venezuela to Bolivia to Ecuador) and the world as a whole.

It is not for the capitalist apologists to teach Cuba democracy because the history of capitalism is that of subjugation of the people’s will. Is it not hypocritical for US to claim to be fighting for democracy in Cuba when the whole world rejected the US embargo on Cuba and yet the Bush government still maintains it? Despite the millions that protested around the world against the invasion on Iraq, the US along with the willing allies still went ahead. The same US government that is championing democracy supported Pakistani military rule for over eight years thus boosting the strength of militants.

Cuba has shown what can be achieved under a genuine socialist government. The task before the working people of Cuba is to prevent a restoration of capitalism. Despite the so-called increase in GDP by many third world countries in the past few years, hundreds of millions are still wallowing in abject poverty while a tiny clique continue to increase their wealth. Neo-liberalism will only mean diversion of the wealth for a tiny clique as has been seen in Nigeria where just one percent controls 80 percent of the nation’s wealth while over 70 percent go hungry.

To get another Castro in the world will require a revolution that will enthrone genuine socialist democracy. This is the real task before the working class activists from Kenya to Venezuela to Georgia to Pakistan and the rest of the world – to build a genuine working people’s political platform that will wrest power from the hands of the capitalist class and enthrone a genuine socialist society, and not to depend on capitalist politicians for liberation.

*Kola Ibrahim is a Member of the Democratic Socialist Movement (DSM), Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.