So since I would consider myself a baby ML. I don’t really trust myself in being able to defend the history and the ideology of Marxism Leninism.
after talking with her about the disastrous effects free market policy would have on Cuba . We came to disagree on how much the embargo mattered. she blames that the under productivity and inefficiency of the Cuban economy is due to the restriction of a free market. I tried responding with that the two currency system solves that problem, but now I realize I probably should be knowing more before arguing.
We also discussed the US interest in invading countries that nationalize their oil. She admitted that there was an incentive to invade these countries. then she asked me why Norway with a nationalized oil production hasn’t been invaded. The only answer I came up with was that Norway is part of the US sphere of influence and participates with imperialism alongside the US. but I don’t feel like that’s a good answer.
If anyone could help me with these two topics that would be highly appreciated.
This is a whole load of nonsense. First of all, if the lack of free market hampers the productivity as is claimed, why put sanctions on top of that? Why not let this allegedly subpar system die out on its own because of its own contradictions? The real reason is economic growth doesn’t have much to do with unbirdled capitalism but more with the ability to fill gaps in resource necessities via trade. What would happen the US if it was embargoed like Cuba or Iran are? If the answer is that free market would sort it out, this is plain wrong because the whole country shit its insides out because of disruption from COVID with hundreds of thousands dead and millions without employment risking eviction.
Secondly, the idea that enacting neoliberal reforms is A WAY, let alone the only one, for development of the so-called developing countries is, again, a scam. No country in the history of the world has achieved development through these shitty policies and they are only meant to allow US and allies to loot the resources and labour of overexploited countries held hostage by IMF and World Bank. Countries like South Korea and Japan were only able to develop their economies by protectionist measures. (Edit: Europe and North America gained its wealth by colonisation, imperialism, enslavement, genocide etc.)
US doesn’t invade Norway because it’s an allied white country. It doesn’t need anymore explaining than that.
she did draw a parrarel with cuba and costa rica which apparently is a social democratic nation. She argues that a planned economy makes it less inefficent compared to a domestic free market like farmer markets dont exist in Cuba. i highly doubt that no market economy exists in cuba since they have a tw currency system, but i would still like to know more.
This. Read Ha-Joon’s books, probably will help you.