Civil Society in Cuba: The Logic of Emergence in Comparative Perspective (original) (raw)

Cuba in Transition? The Civil Sphere's Challenge to the Castro Regime

Latin American Politics and Society, 2008

This article assesses how much the emergence of civil society and private market activities are challenging Cuba's ruling communist regime. The assessment is based on a conceptualization of a "civil sphere," constituted by civil society and private market activities (or the "second economy"), and how this affects democratic transitions from state-socialist societies, using Cuba as a case study. Examining the multiple sectors at play reveals an increasingly organized and vocal opposition, but one hampered by continued government repression. Considering several theoretical and historically possible scenarios, this study concludes that under current conditions, the civil sphere's significant challenge is still not enough for a regime change in the Cuban state.

Is Cuba different? Regime stability, social change, and the problem of reform strategy

Communist and post-communist studies, 1998

The survival of socialism in Cuba eight years after the collapse of Communist regimes in Eastern Europe has come as a surprise to many observers. This analysis surveys Cuba's current economic, political and social conditions, discusses regime stability and reform pressures in light of the Eastern European experience, and identifies the major processes and sources of social change. The same factors that account for the survival of the regime-charismatic leadership and the fusion of nationalism and socialism, reinforced by a confrontationist US foreign policy-open a window of opportunity for an approach to fundamental reform that could avoid the costs of both neoliberal radicalism and political immobilism. The analysis concludes by sketching the main elements of such an alternative reform strategy.

Social Forces and the Politics of Transition: Lessons from the Cuban Experience

1997

Unlike most, if not all, of the research on the breakdown of authoritarian rule, the Cuban case affords us the unique opportunity to investigate the transactions between a daring opposition, the desgaste of authoritarian politics, and the contention of the island’s future in the international arena as they unfold. Skeptics may view my summation of the regime’s capacity to rule and the challenges it faces from the mounting opposition as grossly exaggerated. These critics insist that the anfractuous recent history of the opposition abates their capacity to grasp media attention or the hearts and minds of the populace. Furthermore, the crisis of the early 1990s demonstrates the resilience of the ruling elite. As for international mindfulness, any discussion of the island’s future is a de facto consequence of its hostility with the United States. Even the inevitable question of “transition to what?” begs one of Yogi Berra’s most favorite predicament, that it “is hard to make predictions...

Democracy and Socialism in Cuba: Facing the 21st. Century

LASA Meeting , 2003

The history of the Cuban Revolution and the resulting postcapitalist regime At the same time a discussion on the critical relation between the regime and democracy. Finally, a basic discussion on the relations between the different current regimes and globalization.

Emigration and Regime Stability: Explaining the Persistence of Cuban Socialism

2005

The 'Cuban safety-valve theory' explains sustained survival of Cuban socialism in part through the high levels of emigration, following Hirschman's model of 'exit' undermining 'voice'. The article argues that this remains insufficient in two important ways. Taking a closer look at the crisis years since 1989, at least as important as the opening of exit options was the Cuban state's capacity to rein in uncontrolled emigration and to reassure its 'gatekeeper role'. In addition, the transnationalization of voice and exit must be taken into account as a crucial factor, as much in feeding the regime's anti-imperialist discourse as, paradoxically, by generating sustained economic support from the emigrants.