Brett: Equating the Cuban revolution with the islamic jihad, which is an ultra reactionary response to modernization, bankrolled by the ultra-reactionary elemnts in the Arab/Islamic world, with a nod from the CIA is a truly sad commentary on the state of progressive political discourse nowadays. Is the "blowback" morality play the only think the Left can say on the subject? How disappointing.
While it might be true that social destabilization created by modernization/capitalist development (mentioned by MArx in his remarks on the British rule in India) may have created pre-conditions for mass mobilization, it is crucail to see what organizational form that mobilization takes. Socialism, with all its imperfections, put a human face on moderenization and industrialization, portrayed it as a future hope for the humanity, and created the organizational forms (again far from being perfect) that were conducive for disciplined action, international solidarity, serving broad collective interests and humanity in general. Socialism thus harnessed that raw energy unleashed by modernization and its discontent into a force for good.
With the demise (I hope temporary) of socialism as a global force, the organizational and ideological forms offered by various warlocks of black reaction (especially islamic fundamentalists) suddenly gained visibility and attractiveness - somply because no better alternatives currently esxist. But even if misery of common folks pushes people into their ranks that does not make them a force of good. FUndamentalism is essentially a fascist reaction - an organizational form harnessing popular discontent for socially and politically reactionary goals. The fact that Waffen SS or killing squads was often staffed by displaced peasants does not mean that we should give any support for these organizations, or even "understand" them. Ditto for islamic fundamentalism.
wojtek