Abstract
The research paper delves into the rise and spread of democracy in Cuba. It traces the history of Cuban government and the new experiments conducted by the Revolutionary Government of Cuba led by Fidel Castro. The government applied the ideals of generis socialism in the country; however, it had to abandon it as the people of the country did not fully respond it. Finally, it endorsed the socialist ideals that existed in the USSR and other East European countries.
Origins of Democracy in Cuba
The historical process of democracy began in Cuba with the Revolution in 1959 led by Fidel Castro. Indeed, it is hard to see the Fidel Castro regime whose domestic policies have continued stagnant and was able to survive for a very long period. The following paragraphs discussed the diverse modifications faced by the Cuban Revolution regime all over five decades of existence.
Political Map of Cuba
The Radical Experiment
The first phase of the Cuban Revolution saw enigmatic power politics, the shutting of plurality, and the materialization of mass mobilization politics. The distinctive democracy sought implementation a socialist in Cuba, at a rapid pace to improve economy of the country.
In 1959, the Cuban Revolution undertook one-party system to rule the country with the nationalist ideals. The nationalism principles were incorporated with socialism to have a strong alliance with the USSR that led to hostility with the USA. The Cuban Revolution radicalized and strengthened its political power around Fidel Castro, the leader of the Cuban Revolution. In order to maintain cohesion in the society and for the survival of the country, autocratic rule was applied with iron hands. Thus, the regime led by Fidel Castro got the necessary authority to rule Cuba.
Throughout the 1960s, the Cuban Revolution undertook a “radical experiment” that sought state-run economic growth, as well as the transformation of the Cuban society under socialism ideals. In fact, the Revolutionary Government in Cuba did not follow the past ideals of socialism by former government. However, it sought new socialism ideals as Cuban Revolution believed should generate sui generis socialist ideals in the country. The sui generis socialism model would apply on of all manufactured goods and industries, fast industrial growth, and the creation of one-man rule that would dedicatedly and sincerely serve the country.
Thus, the sui generis socialist model redefined the concept of pluralism in the Cuban polity. The political parties other than the ruling one were banned in taking part in the Cuban politics. Moreover, in 1965, The Cuban revolution set up the Cuban Communist Party with the sole privilege and recognition to participation in the politics of the country. As well, the entire private, as well as the foreign companies, were nationalized, and only state-run business were given free hand to run the country’s economy. Furthermore, the media, sports, and other outlets of cultural life were controlled by the revolutionary government.
The Cuban Revolution undertook the restructuring of the whole society as a sweeping experiment. However, the experiment created another parallel characteristic of popular mobilization. The popular mobilization of the Cuban society was essential step to make the Cuban Revolution successful. Hence, the Cuban Government mobilized the people to protect the revolution from internal and external sources, to transform the society according to socialist policies and to use it for any measure deemed considered by the regime.
Moreover, the popular mobilization had a detrimental effect on vigilance and forfeited organizational independence and became a political tool of the revolutionary government. The regime exploited popularization tool to control government organizations at the behest of Fidel Castro. Indeed, Castro’s charismatic authority and leadership held sway to the popular mobilization politics of Cuba (Perez-Stable, 1999). Moreover, it helped the government free hand to take any measure aimed to defend national sovereignty, the national economy and unqualified support to Fidel Castro’s policies. Furthermore, it gave the government stringent powers to prevent dissension in the politics through iron hand.
Nevertheless, the radical experiment in the Cuban polity was to develop strong economic base. The revolutionary government embarked upon a massive economic development programs to realize the ambitious economic goals. The production of sugar, the main cash crop of Cuba, was set to produce 10 million metric tons. The popular mobilization was needed to contribute in realizing the production goal. Despite massive efforts by the government, the target could not be achieved. The workers put various hurdles in the production of sugar and did not cooperate well with the government. Consequently, the economic production of the country fell short of the set targets.
The government of Fidel Castro badly overrated his ability to restructure the Cuban society on socialist ideals. Hence, Cuba had to surrender the ideals of generis socialism and was compelled to espouse the economic system followed by the USSR and other East European countries.
The Cuban Revolution & the Democratic Change: An Introduction
Following the disintegration of USSR, the Cuban government continued to challenge the political and economic issues facing the country. The USSR support had been instrumental to revive Cuba's survival and with the new political scenario the country experienced a 50% drop in economic activities because of the disintegration of the USSR. The data on GNP growth for the developing and the industrialized countries provided by the World Bank showed a bleak economic picture of the Cuba aftermath of the new political changes all over the world. Consequently, following the collapse of USSR it was highly expected that Cuba would succumb to political and economic pressure without the assistance from the USSR.
Hence, in 1991, the conflicting forecast of Cuba's political and economic outlook has had been in limelight in many studies about this country. There were few main aspects of the Cuba’s political future in the 21st century. First, the reaction of the Cuban government and its contradictory approach challenged the ideological basis of the Cuban Revolution. The contradictions had far-reaching impacts about the political and economic strength of the Cuban Regime as well for her future course. Secondly, the Cuban government is vulnerable to deep socio-political chaos, which may become critical following the demise of Fidel Castro, the main proponent of Cuban Revolution. Fidel Castro elimination from the Cuban politics may have deep implications for the country’s socio-political as well as economic course over which the Cuba’s ideological foundation is built. Moreover, the constant rise of globalization all over the world, the emergence of Cuba’s distinct ideology based on her revolution would be a severe test for the Cuban Government. In sum, the prevalence of globalization, centralization, translationalism would be major factors faced by the post-Castro government.
Cuban Democracy: Contradictions & Resilience
As stated above, the Cuban Revolution has been strongly affected by the leadership of Fidel Castro, who has had the credit to rule the country for a significantly long time. In fact, for more than four decades of rule, the Castro regime has benefited from upheavals of political history surrounding the country. The growing nationalism in the country, the continuous premise of conflict, and the inheritance of leadership from the revolutionary leader, Ernesto Che Guevarra encouraged Fidel Castro to provide the Cuban people new political insights (Thomas, 1998). In fact, the Cubans take much provide of the Cuban Revolution's remarkable achievements in various political and economic fields, the elimination of the former political elites which resulted in the elimination of corruption in the country.
It should be noted that Cuba, unlike the other East European countries, the country has a unique political and economic system based on its revolutionary ideals. The country is not much dependent on the USSR in contrast to other East Europeans countries who has had not the kind of political legitimacy the Cuban government possessed (Suchlicki, 1993). In fact, the presence of the Russian forces in these countries strongly stifled the growth of the political independence (Linz & Stepan, 1996). When the USSR decided to remove its forces from the Eastern Bloc countries, it resulted in a political vacuum that undermined the Communist governments of these countries and finally their collapse.
However, there existed no such political conditions in Cuba, wherein a strong revolutionary leader ruled the country with the support of the overwhelming majority of people. The revolutionary government in Cuba aimed to end corruption and lead the people onto the path of peace and progress. Moreover, unlike Joseph Tito government in Yugoslavia, the Castro government did not come to power through Russian support. It has had deep roots amongst the Cuban people. In addition, in contrast to other communist countries of Europe, Castro government is not considered corrupt, especially Fidel Castro, who did not exploit his position to gain financial benefits. The Cuban revolution was the outcome of mass upheavals in the country for the end of corruption and removal of the ruling corrupted leaders. As well, the Cubans have great trust and confidence for the strength of state security services as well as of its powerful enforcement instruments. Consequently, there did not exist in Cuba any strong opposition in the country to challenge the Fidel Castro government. In addition, the mass migration of the critic of the revolution has helped the country with little opposition in politics. The majority of the masses supports the Cuban Revolution and has deep roots amongst the masses. It has helped the government to take strong measures in different fields of life.
Whilst there are a political plurality, mass mobilization and strong government in Cuba, that served as an authoritarian model, the post-Cold War politics is considerably affected the have consistency and stability of the country’s ideology. The stiff and strong emergency measures in the 1990s in Cuba resulted in the alienation of many people. However, Cuba slowly moved away from the totalitarian model. Nevertheless, the Cuban government had to face many contradictions in the reforms it wanted to introduce in the country. For instance, the government move to invite foreign capital to build luxury hotels in the country produced detrimental consequences. It resulted in a society a large population with 'haves' and 'have-nots'. The economic reforms in Cuba mainly benefitted for those who were associated with the tourism industry. At the same time, the standard of living of average Cuban remained at a critical level (CIA World Factbook, 2000). Moreover, there are signs of decomposition in the socio-political and economic fabric of the country that was considered the fundamental pillars of the Cuban Revolution. Moreover, the increasing public reliance on the economy, the degeneration of health care and educational systems as well as rampant underemployment in the country showed the ideological system worked shoddily. As well, it showed that the country could not survive without external financial and external support.
Nevertheless, the popular alienation and hostility towards the ideology of the Cuban Revolution was not evident. The Cuban Revolution was somewhat different from the Russian system that it showed the leaders were keen to forfeit during the political and economic change of the country. The two major pillars of USSR system namely Glasnost and perestroika harmed the ideological basis of the USSR, challenged the rationalization for the maintenance of the Russian ideological system. Thus, Fidel Castro censured Russian policies supported worldwide capitalism as well supportive to Western imperialism. Following the disintegration of USSR, Fidel Castro maintained the Cuban Revolution philosophy and defended the country from the American hegemony. At present, the Cuban revolution is based on political and social principles are better recognized in contrast to the Russian policies of Glasnost and Perestroika.
Political Stability & Post-Castro Cuba
Whilst the majority of the Cubans in the present times ignore the various socio-political contradictions with the Revolution ideals, they ignore them. However, there is no firm assurance that such complacency shall be sustained for a long-term basis, especially after Castro’s death. In fact, there are some remarkable socio-political and economic loopholes in the Cuban Revolution ideology. Nevertheless, the people do not find other option that might be viable for the country. Moreover, there are few instances in the world that post-totalitarian governments have been able to survive for long. Hence, there is every prospect that after the demise of Castro, the revolution would come to an end. It would be the first time the Cubans would have to experiment another political system to run the country with the ideals of peace and prosperity.
Nevertheless, it is reasonable to believe that the pressure of Post-Castro period would be immense that would require collective action plan for the present regime. Nevertheless, world history has constantly shown that when dictatorial governments reduce the values of civic engagements, they face political and social upheavals (O'Donnell & Schmitter, 1986). Cuba, on the other hand, has no pre-authoritarian experience of democratic ideals, and the presence of Communist ideals has barred the growth of various political movements in the country. Accordingly, there is no major opposition or individuals who could challenge the validity and legitimacy of the Cuban Revolution. Moreover, the age-old revolution has made a strong presence in the Cuban polity for the last five decades. And it is unlikely for any opposition of individual to wreck the ideals set by the Cuban regime.
However, about a million of Cuban who are overwhelmingly critical to the present revolution may figure notably for a change in the Cuban politics soon after the demise of Fidel Castro. A lot of Cuban-Americans see Castro's demise with much hope and anticipation, and believe that any single event about him could trigger a major change in the Cuban politics and may lead to the collapse Cuban government. They would likely to apply Castro's elimination from the political scene as a facilitator to their long-term political and fiscal programs, thus showing the vulnerability of the stateness issue long hidden in the revolutionary era.
In a nutshell, the post-Castro events are highly likely to produce critical differences in the country regarding the constitution of the Cuban politics. Indeed, that will not be simply a territorial issue, however, the issue of Cuban nationalism. In addition, the possible disagreement between the nationalists’ endeavors to identify the Cuban 'state' and the procedure to transform the Castro government to have room for post-Fidel circumstances would be critical to the country’s political future. With the aim to survive in that situation, the Castro government would have to embark upon a program that could promote harmony and unification amongst the various segments of people. The nation-building initiatives that would seek to increase cultural homogeneity amongst the differing people would be problematic in a post-Castro Cuba since a lot of exiled Cubans would seek to change the ideals of the present system. The present revolutionary had to decide the incorporation of critical elements in the mainstream politics of Cuba for nation-building steps. The deep-seated hostilities between Cubans on the mainland and the expatriates would be a crucial challenge facing the post-Castro regime. Moreover, the continued pressure of globalization in Cuban politics and economy would worsen the tensions.
Similar to other developing countries of the world, the post-Castro regime would face the increasing worldwide contradictions between intense closeness and disintegration in the system. The increasing divergence of economy with culture and politics, the demand of Cuban exiles for inclusion in the mainstream politics, the prospects of sadistic cycle of violence and disagreement becomes more perilous in Cuba.
As well, a future decline in Cuba's economy would necessitate increasing espousal of global market economic set up. Consequently, the attraction for adoption would be too strong for the revival of Cuban economy for that is unlikely the post-Castro regime would disregard.
In contrast, a gradual process for international economic system incorporation would become quite complex as the global investors seek Castro's elimination from the Cuban politics as an opportunity for increased, uncontrolled investment in the country. However, if the post-Castro regime supported the integration of her economy and accepted the conditions imposed by the foreign investors, the Cuban revolution would soon be alienated and would lose its legitimacy to rule the country. Paradoxically, it is expected that removal of the embargo by the US on Cuba would promote investment in this country after Castro’s death, and it would severely harm Cuban political and economic system.
Conclusion
The research paper delved into the rise and spread of democracy in Cuba. It traced the history of Cuban government and the new experiments conducted by the Revolutionary Government of Cuba led by Fidel Castro. The government applied the ideals of generis socialism in the country; however, it had to abandon it as the people of the country did not fully respond it. Finally, it endorsed the socialist ideals that existed in the USSR and other East European countries.
It is to be seen how Cuban Revolution undergoes a changeover to democracy is an issue that would be most likely be known in the present century. For the contemporary Cubans, the options vary from a slow changeover to democracy to a post-Castro Cuban political and economic chaos is likely (Falk, 1995). The analysts believe that simultaneous continuation of nationalism and globalization would create considerable problems in Cuba like those faced in the post-authoritarian systems in the world. A supposed 'Balkanization' of the Cuban political and economic system might trigger stifled nationalist movement, especially amongst the exiles. Despite the fact, there is no ethnic tension in Cuba; it could quickly surface if parallel political and economic system is run. Accordingly, amongst both the mainstream Cubans and exiles, the conflicting concepts about the future of Cuba could create an environment of distrust and rivalry. This divergence of identity would see how post-Castro Cuba would explain its political values and democratic norms. With the increasing nationalism in Cuba, the prospects for an instant and passive changeover to democracy in Cuba would be improbable.
References
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O'Donnell, G., & Schmitter, P. (1986).Transitions from Authoritarian Rule: Tentative Conclusions about Uncertain Democracies. Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press.
Perez-Stable, M. (1999). The Cuban Revolution: Origins, Course, and Legacy, 2nd Ed. Oxford University Press: 174-198.
Suchlicki, J. (1993). "Castro's Survival Strategies: A Political Perspective." in Cuba in Crisis: Proceedings from a conference sponsored by the Cuban American National Foundation. Washington: The Cuban-American National Foundation, 26 October.
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