“My idea, as the whole world knows, is that the capitalist system now doesn’t work either for the United States or the world, driving it from crisis to crisis, which are each time more serious.”
- August 13, 1926 – November 25, 2016
- Cuban
- Revolutionary, Prime Minister and President of Cuba, Communist Leader
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Quote
“My idea, as the whole world knows, is that the capitalist system now doesn’t work either for the United States or the world, driving it from crisis to crisis, which are each time more serious.”
Explanation
This quote reflects Fidel Castro’s core belief that capitalism is inherently unstable and unsustainable, both within the United States and globally. He asserts that the system “doesn’t work” not only on a moral level, but on a functional one—pointing to its tendency to generate recurring crises. By emphasizing that each crisis becomes “more serious,” Castro highlights a worsening pattern, suggesting that capitalism is not evolving toward stability, but rather spiraling into deeper systemic failures.
Historically, this view was shaped by events such as the Great Depression, the oil shocks of the 1970s, the financial crises in Latin America and Asia, and later, the 2008 global financial meltdown. Castro believed that these events revealed capitalism’s inability to manage inequality, environmental destruction, or the needs of developing nations. His critique is not only ideological but analytical, positioning socialism as a necessary corrective to a system that, in his eyes, prioritizes profit over human well-being.
In today’s world, the quote resonates with ongoing concerns about economic inequality, climate change, and financial instability. It mirrors the arguments of critics who view capitalism as ill-equipped to address global challenges, especially when crises—from pandemics to banking collapses—are increasingly frequent and interconnected. Castro’s statement, then, continues to provoke debate about whether a new economic model is required to ensure long-term human and planetary survival.
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