This article in The Economist and this cartoon by Paco Calderón make it clear: only the emergence of a middle class will save the democratic processes we're ongoing in the region.  Consumerism can also be a force for good, if it makes our societies more demanding of economic stability and growth.  The more we have to lose, the less receptive to social experiments we are.

Or maybe we might want the same consumer experiences Cubans enjoy?