Ideology

1. Ideology

2. Sense of Superiority Socialism to save mankind Superior to capitalism in two ways economic superiority the more important moral superiority

3. Economic Superiority Productive relations of socialism superior anarchy of markets causes gross errors in resource allocation, including unemployment avoided through planning avoids crisis of �overproduction� (socialist term for recession) achieves faster diffusion of technology as it avoids having to create artificial rights to intellectual property avoids waste of advertising avoids waste from constantly reallocating resources in response to fickle consumer preferences

4. freed from capitalist exploitation, workers more enthusiastic and need less supervision this socialist enthusiasm for work increases until there is no longer a need for any kind of supervision or material motivation then no longer a need for the state which withers away as society makes transition to communism Economic superiority so great that, after initial sacrifices needed to get over the initial economic losses from conflict of revolution and to get past other initial disadvantages of underdevelopment, economic development will fairly quickly surpass capitalist economies

5. This sense of economic superiority sows seeds of destruction as time passes and capitalist economies continue to widen gap, doubt begins to set in when Party officials begin to argue that certain elements of the capitalist system should be incorporated to make socialism more efficient, the breakdown of classical socialism is underway

6. Moral Superiority Nobler system greater economic equality greater social justice individuals overcome their selfish individuality and work for the common cause Che�s �New Man� Socialism not just a means to achieve moral ends socialism itself is a moral end, a thing of social value the achievement and maintenance of socialism is a moral victory

7. The Basic Promises of Socialism Basic promises to look forward to achieving in relative short term within a couple decades requires initial sacrifice and hard work dividends will soon start to come in because of socialism�s intrinsic superiority To catch up with most highly developed capitalist countries

8. To provide all the basic needs in exchange for the people�s hard work Housing free or token rent Basic food at highly subsidized prices Health care Education Child care Vacations Culture Relatively impressive achievements in some areas jobs but worker morale often very bad education Castro�s literacy campaign education tended to be highly inflexible

9. Some promises were not kept the worst case was closing the gap with capitalism housing in extremely short supply waiting list frequently fifteen years long housing quality very poor Inability to fulfill initial promises, especially in regard to closing the gap, creates tremendous tension and doubt especially a problem in East Germany due to close proximity to West Germany

10. State Paternalism Working class supposedly in power but not directly Represented by the Party Party decides what is in best interests of the workers and society Not a question of responding to the workers� interests The Party is in the vanguard of the working class its role is to lead, not to be led

11. Anyone who opposes the Party or the Party�s decisions is, by definition, an enemy of the working class The Party enjoys its legitimacy because it won the Revolution and destroyed the enemies of the people Does not gain legitimacy at the mere whim of the people who are not in a position to determine what is best for society the people can not be trusted to look beyond their immediate self-interests legitimacy does not spring from the support of the people as expressed at the ballot legitimacy comes from the exercise of �scientific socialism� by the leadership

12. the role of the people is to work the role of the state and Party is to provide all the people�s needs Maintenance of such a paternal order requires discipline, willing sacrifice, and vigilance

13. Discipline Discipline expected from all citizens especially Party members Discipline means following orders without questions and formulating orders along Party lines originality is very dangerous individualism and independence are despised

14. Primary characteristics of a successful Party member political reliability loyalty fidelity to Party ideology Secondary characteristics talent professional expertise experience No amount of the latter can make up for lack of the former, but lack of talent or expertise will not necessarily stop a successful career Sources of the importance of discipline revolutionary origins nature of bureaucracy

15. Willing Sacrifice Individuals expected to sacrifice own interests for interests of the state as defined for them by the Party Must be willing to sacrifice improvements in material well-being Must be willing to subordinate family life to state interests state takes over much of the role of family youth organizations

16. Vigilance Society on a war footing Enemies of the people are everywhere internal enemies counter-revolutionaries external enemies capitalist imperialists state must be vigilant against outside enemies self-imposed isolation from corrupting influence of capitalist world plenty of outsiders willing to support downfall of socialism people must be vigilant against the internal enemies among them CDR