Cuba: Revolution in the Balance? Book Chapter

Fonseca, B, Tobin, JA. (2022). Cuba: Revolution in the Balance? . 359-381. 10.4324/9781003223351-23

cited authors

  • Fonseca, B; Tobin, JA

authors

abstract

  • The central role played by Fidel Castro from the beginning of the revolution is key to understanding contemporary developments in Cuba in the years since he and his followers came to power. The politics of revolutionary development have moved Cuba through periods of radical transformation in the economy and the social system, and through phases when pragmatism and moderation shaped domestic priorities and affected social attitudes. But, as with any experiment, Cuba’s has been characterized by fits and starts, abrupt policy reversals, intense criticism of the real nature of socialism and revolution, and evident exhaustion. Cuba’s future, however, is much less clear, especially after Fidel’s death and the departure of his brother Raúl from politics. Now, a new generation of political leaders must grapple with managing the social, economic, and political expectations of Cubans on the island in a post-Castro context and absorb Cuba’s contentious relations with its powerful northern neighbor, the United States.

publication date

  • January 1, 2022

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

International Standard Book Number (ISBN) 13

start page

  • 359

end page

  • 381