[LINK] "Socialism Through the Prism of the Generation Gap"

From Inter Press Service, Dalia Acosta's article "Socialism Through the Prism of the Generation Gap". The relative apathy of the younger generations seems to be a significant problem.

Castro’s announcement Tuesday that he was retiring as head of state has once again raised questions about who will succeed the long-time leaders of the ruling Communist Party, who are now in their 70s and 80s, and how popular support for socialism will be kept alive, especially among the young.

"The ‘historical generation’ is not going to give up its grip on power," said Yadira Valdivia, a librarian who lives in Havana. "I just hope that those who are in positions of power adopt the measures necessary to solve the problems in our country, rather than just trying to pretend they are doing something," she told IPS.

"I think we should elect other people from different generations, to inject some fresh air into the government," said Valdivia, 28, who believes a "political debate" is urgently needed.

"The most logical thing would be for the ‘historical generation’ to assume power," said Rubén Jiménez, a 64-year-old retired armed forces officer. "The country and our leaders are prepared, but with the current threats from the United States, no move should be made that could be taken as a sign of weakness."

But Miriam Cruz, 59, said a combination of older and younger leaders would probably emerge. "I imagine that there will be a mix, because there are capable young people. If there weren't, it would mean the revolution had not worked."

[BRIEF NOTE] The latest political scandal in Ottawa

The latest scandal aired in the federal parliament, relating to alleged Chuck Cadman, has been summarized in today's The Globe and Mail.

The spectre of an alleged financial offer to a dying MP hovered over Parliament Hill on Friday as some Liberals hinted they might topple the government over the prime minister's purported role in the alleged affair.

Opposition parties hammered the Conservatives in the House of Commons for the second straight day over allegations then-Opposition leader Stephen Harper was implicated in an overture to Chuck Cadman two days before a historic May 2005 confidence vote.

Outside the Commons, Liberal MP Garth Turner suggested time is running out for the Tories to come up with a credible explanation for what exactly was offered to Mr. Cadman — on whose shoulders the fate of Paul Martin's Liberal government rested — in exchange for his support. "The questions have not gone away, and each day more evidence has come forward that this is a serious issue. So, unless the government refutes that very quickly, or comes out with a statement of clarification, then I think we ought to be thinking about bringing these guys down," he said.

A tape released Thursday suggests Mr. Harper not only knew two party officials made an "offer" to Cadman, but also gave it his blessing.

Not clear is what exactly the Conservative insiders offered Mr. Cadman. The Tories insist that Doug Finley and Harper mentor Tom Flanagan only offered to take Mr. Cadman — who had left the party and was sitting as an Independent MP — back into the party fold.

But Mr. Cadman's widow, Dona — a Conservative candidate — told CTV News her husband was livid at an alleged offer of a $1-million life insurance policy, which she said she considered a bribe.

Tory MP James Moore was left to fend off questions by opposition MPs and reporters outside the Commons. He dodged questions about whether the offer was indeed for a life insurance policy or for the Conservative nomination in the B.C. riding of Surrey North.

Jonathan Kay at the National Post is skeptical of the story. Another relative confirming the story is probably right when he concludes that nothing will be proven, one way or another, at this late date.

[LINK] "I've found a perfect new member for the EU. If only it were in Europe"

Back in June 2006 and over at his Comment is free blog hosted by The Guardian, Timothy Garton Ash proposed that Canada would make an excellent new member-state for the European Union.

In most respects it would be a much easier fit than Ukraine, let alone Turkey. It effortlessly meets the EU's so-called Copenhagen criteria for membership, including democratic government, the rule of law, a well-regulated market economy and respect for minority rights (Canada's a world-leader on that). Canada is rich, so would be a much-needed net contributor to the European budget at a time when the EU has been taking in lots of poorer states. One of Europe's besetting weaknesses is disagreement between the British and the French, but on this the two historic rivals would instantly agree. English-speaking Canada would strengthen the Anglophone group in the EU, Quebec the Francophone.

Take the list of things that many Europeans consider to be most characteristic of us - by contrast with the United States. We Europeans believe that the free market should be tamed by values of social justice, solidarity and inclusiveness, realised through a strong welfare state. We don't have capital punishment. We believe that military force should only be used as a last resort and with the sanction of international law. We support international organisations. We love multilateralism and abhor unilateralism. We tend to think that men and women should be able to live more or less as they please with whomever they please, irrespective of gender and sexual orientation. We pride ourselves on our diversity. Check, check, check. Welcome to Canada.

From here, Ash goes on to argue that the values described as "European" (Nordic, Rhineland or Mediterranean models of capitalism, say, or certain kinds of social liberalism) are not exclusively Europeans, and are in fact shared by many people around the world, including "Americans in the liberal blue states of the US." After criticizing Canadians and Europeans alike for their alleged "obsession with the United States, and [their] distinguishing themselves from it, often by crude stereotyping," Ash goes on to suggest that non-American democracies should get their act together, stop punching below their weight, and start promoting the good elements of their social models, preferably in concert with other democracies. Whatever similarities exist with his arguments in his 2006 book Free World are probably quite intentional.