Is Cuba A Mixed Economy

Is Cuba a Mixed Economy? Untangling the Complexities of Cuba's Economic System

Introduction:

For decades, Cuba has been a fascinating case study in economic systems, defying easy categorization. While often described as a socialist or communist state, the reality is far more nuanced. This in-depth analysis will explore the complexities of Cuba's economy, investigating whether it truly fits the definition of a mixed economy, examining its historical evolution, current structure, and future prospects. We'll delve into the roles of state-owned enterprises, private businesses, and the persistent influence of government control to understand the unique economic landscape of this Caribbean island nation. Prepare to unravel the intricacies of a system that challenges conventional economic classifications.


1. Understanding the Definition of a Mixed Economy:

Before diving into the Cuban context, it's crucial to establish a clear understanding of what constitutes a mixed economy. A mixed economy blends elements of both market economies and planned economies. Market economies, like the United States, rely primarily on supply and demand to determine production and pricing. Planned economies, such as the former Soviet Union, feature centralized government control over the means of production and distribution. A mixed economy seeks a balance, combining the efficiency of market mechanisms with the social safety nets and regulatory oversight provided by government intervention. This balance, however, is rarely static; the degree of government intervention varies significantly between countries and evolves over time.

2. Cuba's Historical Economic Trajectory:

Cuba's economic system has undergone a dramatic transformation throughout its history. Initially a largely agrarian economy dependent on sugar exports, the 1959 revolution under Fidel Castro led to the nationalization of industries and the implementation of a centrally planned socialist system. This involved the seizure of private businesses, collectivization of agriculture, and the establishment of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) as the dominant players in the economy. This period was characterized by significant social progress in areas such as healthcare and education but also faced challenges in terms of economic efficiency and innovation.

3. The Current State of Cuba's Economy:

While maintaining its socialist ideology, Cuba has implemented significant economic reforms since the early 2000s. These reforms, often described as "updating the socialist model," aim to increase economic efficiency and attract foreign investment. This has led to a gradual expansion of the private sector, with the allowance of self-employment in various sectors, including tourism, transportation, and small-scale manufacturing. However, SOEs remain crucial players, controlling major industries such as energy, telecommunications, and healthcare. The dual-currency system, involving both the Cuban Peso (CUP) and the Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC), also reflects this complex economic structure, complicating transactions and hindering economic transparency.

4. The Role of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) in Cuba:

SOEs are undeniably central to the Cuban economy. While the government has sought to improve their efficiency and management, challenges persist. These include bureaucratic inefficiencies, lack of incentives for innovation, and limited competition. The SOEs' dominance also affects the private sector, creating limitations on access to resources, credit, and markets. This interplay between the state sector and the emerging private sector underscores the complexity of categorizing Cuba's economic system.

5. The Private Sector's Growing Influence:

The expansion of the private sector represents a significant shift in the Cuban economic landscape. The increased allowance of self-employment has led to a surge in entrepreneurship, particularly in the service sector. This has contributed to economic growth, job creation, and a greater diversification of goods and services. However, the private sector operates within a tightly regulated environment, facing limitations on access to resources, credit, and land. This controlled expansion highlights the ongoing tension between socialist ideology and the realities of market mechanisms.

6. The Challenges of Cuba's Economic Model:

Cuba's economic model faces numerous challenges. These include the persistent economic sanctions imposed by the United States, which have hampered trade and investment. The aging population and brain drain also pose long-term concerns. Furthermore, the dual-currency system adds layers of complexity and creates distortions within the economy. Overcoming these challenges requires a delicate balance between maintaining socialist principles and adapting to the needs of a dynamic global economy.

7. Is Cuba a Mixed Economy? A Concluding Analysis:

While Cuba’s economic system doesn't neatly fit the traditional definition of a mixed economy found in textbooks, it exhibits characteristics of both planned and market economies. The significant role of the state in controlling the means of production and setting economic policies is undeniable. However, the growing private sector, although heavily regulated, demonstrates a departure from the purely centrally planned model. It’s more accurate to describe Cuba’s economic system as a unique hybrid, a "transitional" or "modified socialist" model constantly evolving and adapting to internal and external pressures.

Article Outline:

Title: Is Cuba a Mixed Economy?

Introduction: Defining mixed economies and introducing Cuba's context.
Chapter 1: Historical overview of Cuba's economic development.
Chapter 2: The current state of the Cuban economy: SOEs, private sector, and dual currency.
Chapter 3: Analyzing the role of SOEs and their challenges.
Chapter 4: Examining the growth and limitations of the private sector.
Chapter 5: Discussing the challenges and constraints faced by the Cuban economy.
Chapter 6: Conclusion: Categorizing Cuba's economic system.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

1. Is Cuba a communist country? While Cuba identifies as a socialist state, its economic system is not purely communist. It exhibits elements of a centrally planned economy but also incorporates private sector activity.

2. What are the main challenges facing the Cuban economy? US sanctions, an aging population, brain drain, and inefficiencies within SOEs are among the primary challenges.

3. What role does the private sector play in Cuba? The private sector is growing, albeit gradually and within strict government regulations, contributing to job creation and economic diversification.

4. What is the dual currency system in Cuba? Cuba uses two currencies: the Cuban Peso (CUP) and the Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC), creating complexities in transactions and hindering economic transparency.

5. How does Cuba's economy compare to other socialist countries? Cuba's economy is unique compared to other socialist states, exhibiting a more gradual and controlled opening to market mechanisms.

6. What are the future prospects of the Cuban economy? The future depends on the successful balancing of socialist ideology with the need for economic reforms, attracting foreign investment, and enhancing efficiency.

7. What is the role of tourism in the Cuban economy? Tourism is a significant contributor to the Cuban economy, both directly and indirectly, supporting employment and generating foreign exchange.

8. What are the social implications of Cuba's economic system? Cuba's economic model has achieved significant social progress in areas like healthcare and education, but economic hardships persist for a segment of the population.

9. How does the US embargo affect Cuba's economy? The US embargo significantly restricts Cuba's access to international markets and finance, hindering economic growth and development.


Related Articles:

1. Cuba's Economic Reforms: A Decade of Change: This article examines the impact of economic reforms implemented since the early 2000s.

2. The Role of Foreign Investment in Cuba's Economy: An analysis of the current state of foreign investment and its potential impact on the Cuban economy.

3. The Future of the Cuban Peso: A discussion of the challenges of the dual currency system and potential solutions.

4. Cuba's Healthcare System: A Socialist Success Story?: This article explores the strengths and weaknesses of Cuba's renowned healthcare system.

5. The Cuban Agricultural Sector: Challenges and Opportunities: Examining the ongoing challenges of Cuba's agricultural sector and potential avenues for improvement.

6. Entrepreneurship in Cuba: Navigating the Regulatory Landscape: This article explores the hurdles and opportunities for entrepreneurs operating in Cuba.

7. Cuba's Relations with Other Countries: Economic Implications: A study of the economic ramifications of Cuba's international relations.

8. The Impact of US Sanctions on the Cuban People: This article provides a human-centered perspective on the effects of the US embargo.

9. Cuba's Energy Sector: Dependence and Diversification: An examination of Cuba's energy needs and its strategies for diversification.


  is cuba a mixed economy: Market, Socialist, and Mixed Economies Carmelo Mesa-Lago, 2000 How can we determine which economic model best provides for economic development and social welfare? In this major comparative work, noted economist Carmelo Mesa-Lago analyzes three Latin American countries with divergent economic systems: Chile (a market economy), Cuba (socialist), and Costa Rica (mixed). He examines their economic and social policies, shows how these policies affect performance based on a set of socioeconomic variables, and ranks the countries among themselves (using new techniques) and in comparison with international indicators. The time frame of the study embraces thirty-eight years for Costa Rica (under the democratic social democracy) and Cuba (under the socialist revolution) and twenty-four years for Chile (under Pinochet and the return to democracy). Mesa-Lago focuses on the three diverse socioeconomic models that these countries represent during these periods.
  is cuba a mixed economy: Cuba Under Raul Castro Carmelo Mesa-Lago, Jorge F. Pérez-López, 2013 What led to the dramatic social and economic reforms introduced by Cuba¿s president Raul Castro. How effective have those reforms been? And what obstacles does Castro face in overcoming the country¿s chronic socioeconomic woes? Cuba Under Raul Castro addresses these questions, offering a comprehensive analysis of the president¿s efforts during his first six years in office.
  is cuba a mixed economy: The Economy of Socialist Cuba Carmelo Mesa-Lago, 1981 Economic analysis of economic conditions in socialist Cuba - examines revolutionary economic policies, sustained economic growth, (incl. Sugar, agricultural production and industrial production) external dependence and trade; considers full employment, unemployment and underemployment, labour force characteristics, labour productivity, etc.; discusses income distribution, wage policies, price policies and social services; includes a socio-economic evaluation. References.
  is cuba a mixed economy: Socially Mixed Economies John Weber, 2001 Have you ever considered what the middle ground between capitalism and socialism would look like? Socially Mixed Economies offers a tantalizing snapshot of this brave new world, a third way born of compromise by countries accepting that social gains can develop in opposed systems. John Weber takes the reader on an intellectual journey through the give-and-take of post Cold War history. Drawing on examples from Europe, the United States, and the developing world this provocative work suggests that today's political landscape is far from polarized between purely socialist and capitalist regimes. Rather than documenting the triumph of pure capitalism over pure socialism, by means of different country-specific examples, Weber illustrates how much of today's political fabric has been shaped by concessions. The result is a socially mixed economy, of coexisting capitalist and socialist structures. This is essential reading for economists, political scientists, and historians seeking to understand the evolution of a new transitional society and its important, unprecedented consequences for twenty-first century world politics.
  is cuba a mixed economy: Open for Business Richard Feinberg, 2016-06-14 An expert guide to Cuba’s economic opening to the outside world. Ninety miles across the Straits of Florida, an exciting new revolution is afoot. This time, instead of guerillas marching down the streets of Havana, it is a global economy that will upend Cuba. Now opening to the world, what new forms is this nascent economy likely to take? Open for Business: The New Cuban Economy, Richard E. Feinberg’s new book, examines the Cuban economy as it makes its early steps into developing a more dynamic market economy. He examines key issues like the role foreign investors will play, how Cubans will forge a path to entrepreneurship, and the roadmaps suggested by other emerging economies. As Cuba’s economy awakens from the post-Castro dream, it will do so with a flavor that is uniquely Cuban. Feinberg’s book—enriched by interviews and in-depth field research conducted over the last five years—speaks both to Cuba’s legacy and to its new horizons on the world stage.
  is cuba a mixed economy: Varieties of Capitalism Peter A. Hall, David W. Soskice, 2001 Applying the new economics of organisation and relational theories of the firm to the problem of understanding cross-national variation in the political economy, this volume elaborates a new understanding of the institutional differences that characterise the 'varieties of capitalism' worldwide.
  is cuba a mixed economy: Introduction to Business Lawrence J. Gitman, Carl McDaniel, Amit Shah, Monique Reece, Linda Koffel, Bethann Talsma, James C. Hyatt, 2024-09-16 Introduction to Business covers the scope and sequence of most introductory business courses. The book provides detailed explanations in the context of core themes such as customer satisfaction, ethics, entrepreneurship, global business, and managing change. Introduction to Business includes hundreds of current business examples from a range of industries and geographic locations, which feature a variety of individuals. The outcome is a balanced approach to the theory and application of business concepts, with attention to the knowledge and skills necessary for student success in this course and beyond. This is an adaptation of Introduction to Business by OpenStax. You can access the textbook as pdf for free at openstax.org. Minor editorial changes were made to ensure a better ebook reading experience. Textbook content produced by OpenStax is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
  is cuba a mixed economy: Refracted Economies Rebecca Jane Hall, 2022 Refracted Economies examines the gendered impact of the diamond industry in the Canadian Northwest Territories.
  is cuba a mixed economy: Cuba Rex A. Hudson, 2002 Describes and analyzes the economic, national security, political, and social systems and institutions of Cuba.--Amazon.com viewed Jan. 4, 2021.
  is cuba a mixed economy: Open for Business Brookings Institution Press, 2016-08-30
  is cuba a mixed economy: Cuba Since the Revolution of 1959 Samuel Farber, 2011-12-13 “Frequent insights, stimulating historical comparisons, and command of the data relating to Cuba’s economic and social performance.” —Foreign Affairs Uncritically lauded by the left and impulsively denounced by the right, the Cuban Revolution is almost universally viewed one dimensionally. In this book, Samuel Farber, one of its most informed left-wing critics, provides a much-needed critical assessment of the Revolution’s impact and legacy. “The Cuban story twists and turns as we speak, so thank goodness for scholars such as Samuel Farber, an unapologetic Marxist whose knowledge of Cuban affairs is unrivalled . . . In this excellent, necessary book, Farber takes stock of fifty years of revolutionary control by recognizing achievements but lambasting authoritarianism.” —Latin American Review of Books “A courageous and formidable balance-sheet of the Cuban Revolution, including a sobering analysis of a draconian ‘reform’ program that will only deepen the gulf between revolutionary slogans and the actual life of the people.” —Mike Davis, author of Planet of Slums
  is cuba a mixed economy: the Cuban Economy Archibald R.M. Ritter, 2004-05-09 Cuba faced an economic meltdown of catastrophic proportions in the early 1990s when covert subsidies from the former Soviet Union disappeared. Policies instituted by the island republic's government to handle the worst problems have had inconsistent results. Opening the economy to foreign enterprise has resulted in positive growth in tourism and nickel and cigar exports. However, remnants of the older economy, including the sugar and biotechnological industries, have only experienced a decrease in capital and importance. Basic educational and health services have been maintained surprisingly well, but the standard of living is still far below the highs of the 1980s. With contributions from many leading Cuba scholars, The Cuban Economy offers not only an analysis of the economy since 1990, but also a look towards future prospects.
  is cuba a mixed economy: Havana Joseph L. Scarpaci, Roberto Segre, Mario Coyula, 2002 Newly revised and redesigned, this book assesses nearly 500 years of urban development and planning in Havana, paying particular attention to the city's rich blend of Spanish-Cuban-Latin American-North American architecture and design.
  is cuba a mixed economy: Enterprises, Industry and Innovation in the People's Republic of China Alberto Gabriele, 2020-04-06 This book analyses and critically evaluates the development of two key components of China’s economy: the network of productive enterprises, and the national innovation system, from the inception of market-oriented reforms to the present day. The approach is a partly novel one, albeit inspired to classical political economy, rooted in the structure and evolution of social relations of production and exchange and of the institutional setting in these two crucial domains. The main findings are twofold: First, the role of planning and public ownership, far from withering, has being upheld and qualitatively enhanced, especially throughout the most recent stages of industrial reforms. Second, enterprises are increasingly participating - along with universities and research centers - in a concerted and historically unparalleled effort to dramatically upgrade China’s capacity to engage in indigenous innovation. As a result, China’s National Innovation System has been growing and strengthening at a pace much faster than that of the national economy as a whole. The book also presents a speculative and provisional perspective on the validity, and meaning, of the claim that the country’s socioeconomic system is indeed a form of socialism with Chinese characteristics. It will be on interest to students and scholars researching China, politics, and development economics.
  is cuba a mixed economy: Introduction to Cuba Gilad James, PhD, Cuba is a unique and fascinating country located in the Caribbean Sea, southeast of the Gulf of Mexico. With a population of over 11 million people, it is the largest island nation in the Caribbean, and its capital city of Havana is a vibrant hub of culture, music, and history. Cuba has a rich cultural heritage and a complex political history, having undergone numerous changes since its discovery by Christopher Columbus in 1492. From Spanish colonialism to communist rule under Fidel Castro, Cuba has faced challenges and triumphs throughout its history, and its people have shown remarkable resilience in the face of adversity. Cuba’s geography is characterized by beautiful beaches, lush forests, and stunning mountains. The island has a tropical climate, with warm temperatures year-round, making it a popular destination for tourists looking to escape the winter chill. Its economy is centered around agriculture, including crops such as tobacco, sugar cane, and coffee, and it also relies heavily on its thriving tourism industry. While the country has faced economic hardship and political tensions in recent years, Cubans remain proud of their rich cultural traditions, including music, dance, and art. With a unique blend of Spanish, African, and Native American influences, Cuba’s culture and history are unlike any other.
  is cuba a mixed economy: Entrepreneurial Cuba Archibald R. M. Ritter, Ted Henken, 2015 During the presidency of Raúl Castro, Cuba has dramatically reformed its policies toward small private enterprises. Archibald Ritter and Ted Henken consider why¿and to what effect. After reviewing the evolution of policy since 1959, the authors contrast the approaches of Fidel and Raúl Castro and explore in depth the responses of Cuban entrepreneurs to the new environment. Their work, rich in ethnographic research and extensive interviews, provides a revealing analysis of Cuba¿s fledgling private sector.
  is cuba a mixed economy: ,
  is cuba a mixed economy: The Oxford Handbook of Latin American Political Economy Javier Santiso, Jeff Dayton-Johnson, 2012-05-09 Understanding Latin America's recent economic performance calls for a multidisciplinary analysis. This handbook looks at the interaction of economics and politics in the region and includes a number of contributions from top academic experts who have also served as key policy makers (a former president, ministers of finance, a central bank governor), reflecting upon the challenges of reform.
  is cuba a mixed economy: Social and Solidarity Economy in Cuba Rafael J. Betancourt, Jusmary Gómez Arencibia, 2023-07-15 Social and Solidarity Economy in Cuba examines the role of Social and Solidarity Economics (SSE) amidst national change in Cuba. Depicting both challenges and opportunities, this book makes a strong and sustained case for solidary and socially responsible practices in Cuba.
  is cuba a mixed economy: Cuba and the Economic Policies of Peripheral Socialism Vitor Eduardo Schincariol, Joana Salém Vasconcelos, 2023-12-12 This book offers an economic history of the Cuban revolution between 1959 and 2019, with a focus on the period that ranges between 2008 and 2018. It aims to explain in a historical perspective the Cuban economic challenges through the category of ‘peripheral socialism’. The core of the research is the administration of Raúl Castro and the economic and social reforms introduced by it under the concept of socialism update. The book describes Cuba’s recent economic policies and analyses the structure and dynamics of Cuba’s economic changes, offering a panoramic view which can serve as an introduction to further more detailed analyses. The book also offers an interpretation of Cuba’s socialism in light of the Latin American political economy of underdevelopment, so as to interpret Cuba’s structural economic performance. The analytical background will enable readers to understand the contemporary crises in Cuba, with a balanced look at the triumphs and limits of its peripheral socialism. It will find an audience among scholars and researchers of economic development and history, macroeconomics, Latin American and Cuban Studies, Socialism Studies, and related areas. It will also be of interest to economists, politicians, diplomats, journalists, and NGOs.
  is cuba a mixed economy: Cuba After Castro Edward Gonzalez, Kevin F. McCarthy, Louay Constant, Gabriella Gonzalez, Jeffery C. Tanner, Bruce Hoffman, 2004-06-29 When the end of the Castro era arrives, the successor government and the Cuban people will need to answer certain questions: How is Castro's more than four-decade rule likely to affect a post-Castro Cuba? What will be the political, social, and economic challenges Cuba will confront? What are the impediments to Cuba's economic development and democratic transition? The authors examine Castro's political legacies, Cuba's generational and racial divisions, its demographic predicament, the legacy of a centralized economy, and the need for industrial restructuring.
  is cuba a mixed economy: From Cuba with Love Megan D. Daigle, 2015-01-16 From Cuba with Love deals with love, sexuality, and politics in contemporary Cuba. In this beautiful narrative, Megan Daigle explores the role of women in Cuban political culture by examining the rise of economies of sex, romance, and money since the early 1990s. Daigle draws attention to the violence experienced by young women suspected of involvement with foreigners at the hands of a moralistic state, an opportunistic police force, and even their own families and partners. Investigating the lived realities of the Cuban women (and some men) who date tourists and offering a unique perspective on the surrounding debates, From Cuba with Love raises issues about women’s bodies–what they can or should do and, equally, what can be done to them. Daigle’s provocative perspective will make readers question how race and politics in Cuba are tied to women and sex, and the ways in which political power acts directly on the bodies of individuals through law, policing, institutional programs, and social norms.
  is cuba a mixed economy: Latin American Politics and Society Gerardo L. Munck, Juan Pablo Luna, 2022-06-09 An engaging introduction to Latin America with a fresh, thematic approach to key political and social issues. This accessible undergraduate textbook examines the entirety of the region, addressing complex issues in a clear and direct manner. Grounded in cutting-edge research and data, concepts are illustrated through tables, maps, and timelines.
  is cuba a mixed economy: Cuba in a Changing World United States. Congress. House. Committee on Foreign Affairs. Subcommittee on Europe and the Middle East, 1991
  is cuba a mixed economy: Market, Socialist, and Mixed Economies Carmelo Mesa-Lago, 2000 How can we determine which economic model best provides for economic development and social welfare? In this major comparative work, noted economist Carmelo Mesa-Lago analyzes three Latin American countries with divergent economic systems: Chile (a market economy), Cuba (socialist), and Costa Rica (mixed). He examines their economic and social policies, shows how these policies affect performance based on a set of socioeconomic variables, and ranks the countries among themselves (using new techniques) and in comparison with international indicators. The time frame of the study embraces thirty-eight years for Costa Rica (under the democratic social democracy) and Cuba (under the socialist revolution) and twenty-four years for Chile (under Pinochet and the return to democracy). Mesa-Lago focuses on the three diverse socioeconomic models that these countries represent during these periods.
  is cuba a mixed economy: Permanent Revolution in Latin America John Peter Roberts, Jorge Martin, 2018-11-22 This book presents the histories of the revolutions in Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela as the latest demonstrations of the price the popular masses pay for the absence of a correct revolutionary strategy. The goal of the leaders of the revolutionary movements in all three countries was to create a progressive, independent bourgeois-democratic state but contrary to expectations, the national bourgeoisie did not welcome a national democratic revolution. Instead, faced with a mass movement, it fought hard to re-assert its own and US imperialism’s economic and political stranglehold, opposing increased democratic rights, greater social equality, agrarian reform and the redistribution of wealth. We trace how, in all three countries, the national bourgeoisie joined forces with imperialism and used violent methods to reverse the progressive measures made, and when these attempts failed carried on a campaign of economic sabotage to starve the masses into submission. In Cuba the revolution was propelled forward by abolishing capitalism and enormous conquests were made. In Nicaragua and Venezuela, the revolution was stopped half way, leading to disaster and defeat. As the world enters a decisive revolutionary epoch, reformists, just as they did in Nicaragua and Venezuela, attempt to hold that revolution back. In the face of all experience, their solution to social crises is one which stubbornly remains within the narrow limits of capitalism. This book is a contribution to the debate about revolutionary strategy. It highlights the lessons to be learned from the recent past, argues against the failed reformist approach and draws the conclusion that only through the workers coming to power and expropriating the oligarchy can we begin to overcome the exploitation and oppression of the masses.
  is cuba a mixed economy: Cuba Susan Kaufman Purcell, David Jochanan Rothkopf, 2000 The contributors to this collection offer a range of views on the growing political and economic challenges facing the Castro regime, how these challenges will be met, and Cuba's prospects for a peaceful transition to democracy.
  is cuba a mixed economy: U.S. Policy and the Future of Cuba United States. Congress. House. Committee on Foreign Affairs. Subcommittee on Economic Policy, Trade, and Environment, 1994
  is cuba a mixed economy: Cuban Communism, 1959-2003 Irving Louis Horowitz, 2018-02-06 Cuban Communism remains, like its previous ten editions, an important contribution to the field of Cuban Studies. It includes many useful chronological facts, as well as a selection of Fidel Castro's speeches which are interesting and informative for any reader interested in the island. -- Maria Gropas, Department of Social Anthropology, University of Cambridge This new 11th edition of a classic text, come to be known as the bible of Cuban Studies, emphasizes two key issues of the twenty-first century. First, transition concerns in a world without Castro, and second, the continuing embargo of Cuba by the United States in the aftermath of a major change in the presidency. Cuban Communism has been updated to take account of changes in the 44 years of Castro's rule since seizing power in 1959. In addition to articles and essays that represent new developments in Cuba, the work boasts a database upgrade that makes it more important to students, scholars, and researchers. The volume has expanded the section on future prospects for civil society and democracy in a post-Castro environment; including Regime Change in Cuba by Eusebio Mujal-Leon and Joshua W. Busby; Transition Scenarios by Randolph H. Pherson, and A Policy Conundrum over Cuba by Edward Gonzalez. It also contains a chronology of events from 1959 through 2002. Finally, the new work contains a carefully constructed Who's Who of important players in Cuba and the regime during the Castro period up to the present. Other articles new to the 11th edition of Cuban Communism are by Ernesto Betancourt, Cuba's Balance of Payment Gap; Carmelo Mesa-Lago, The Cuban Economy From 1999-2001; Taylor Boas, The Internet and U.S. Policy toward Cuba; Aldo M. Leiva, Environmental Technology Transfer and Foreign Investment; Moises Asis, Judaism in Cuba; Wolf Grabendorff, A View from the European Union. More than ever, it is a must volume for those interested in political systems and social structures. Irving Louis Horowitz is Hannah Arendt Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Sociology and Political Science at Rutgers University. Among his works are Three Worlds of Development, Beyond Empire and Revolution, and his Bacardi Lectures on Cuba that was published as The Conscience of Worms and the Cowardice of Lions. Jaime Suchlicki is Bacardi Professor of History at the Graduate School of International Studies at the University of Miami, and executive director of its Cuban-American and Cuban Center. He is author of From Columbus to Castro, University Students and Revolution in Cuba, and Mexico: From Montezuma to Nafta and Beyond.
  is cuba a mixed economy: Cuban Health Care Don Fitz, 2020-06-22 How the Cuban health care system became the blueprint for accessible medical care around the world Quiet as it’s kept inside the United States, the Cuban revolution has achieved some phenomenal goals, reclaiming Cuba’s agriculture, advancing its literacy rate to nearly 100 percent – and remaking its medical system. Cuba has transformed its health care to the extent that this “third-world” country has been able to maintain a first-world medical system, whose health indicators surpass those of the United States at a fraction of the cost. Don Fitz combines his deep knowledge of Cuban history with his decades of on-the-ground experience in Cuba to bring us the story of how Cuba’s health care system evolved and how Cuba is tackling the daunting challenges to its revolution in this century. Fitz weaves together complex themes in Cuban history, moving the reader from one fascinating story to another. He describes how Cuba was able to create a unified system of clinics, and evolved the family doctor-nurse teams that became a model for poor countries throughout the world. How, in the 1980s and ‘90s, Cuba survived the encroachment of AIDS and increasing suffering that came with the collapse of the Soviet Union, and then went on to establish the Latin American School of Medicine, which still brings thousands of international students to the island. Deeply researched, recounted with compassion, Cuban Health Care tells a story you won’t find anywhere else, of how, in terms of caring for everyday people, Cuba’s revolution continues.
  is cuba a mixed economy: Reactions to the Market Laura J. Enríquez, 2015-09-30 It is manifest in developing countries around the world that the “shock” therapy administered to their economies by the neoliberal model of structural adjustment has failed, leaving much social and economic destruction in its wake. In Latin America this failure has led to a resurgence of interest in alternative models, some of them deploying various versions of socialism, as in Bolivia, Chile, and Venezuela, which has given rise to talk about the new “pink tide” enveloping the region. In this comparative study of four economies that have been making a transition to the market from their orthodox socialist pasts, Laura Enríquez focuses our attention on the plight of the small farmer in particular and on the importance of this sector for the overall socioeconomic success of the transition. Through this comparison, we see the similarities between Nicaragua and Russia in their rapid retreat from socialism and their adoption of reforms that have placed small agriculture, especially that focused on food crops, at a distinct disadvantage relative to export-oriented production. By contrast, Cuba has been more like China in adopting aspects of market reform while emphasizing small-scale cooperative and private farming in an effort to achieve food self-sufficiency. Drawing insights from Karl Polanyi’s study of the social and economic effects of the expansion of market relations in the nineteenth century, Enríquez highlights the role of the state in each of these countries in driving change in a certain direction: toward de-emphasis of small-scale farming and the eventual assumed demise of the peasantry in Nicaragua and Russia, which has led to countermovements of peasants struggling to survive, and toward the reconfirmation of the value of small farming in contributing to balanced economic development in Cuba and China.
  is cuba a mixed economy: The Economic Relationship Between the United States and Cuba After Castro United States. Congress. House. Committee on Ways and Means. Subcommittee on Trade, 1995
  is cuba a mixed economy: CUBA NARAYAN CHANGDER, 2023-01-07 THE CUBA MCQ (MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS) SERVES AS A VALUABLE RESOURCE FOR INDIVIDUALS AIMING TO DEEPEN THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF VARIOUS COMPETITIVE EXAMS, CLASS TESTS, QUIZ COMPETITIONS, AND SIMILAR ASSESSMENTS. WITH ITS EXTENSIVE COLLECTION OF MCQS, THIS BOOK EMPOWERS YOU TO ASSESS YOUR GRASP OF THE SUBJECT MATTER AND YOUR PROFICIENCY LEVEL. BY ENGAGING WITH THESE MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS, YOU CAN IMPROVE YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE SUBJECT, IDENTIFY AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT, AND LAY A SOLID FOUNDATION. DIVE INTO THE CUBA MCQ TO EXPAND YOUR CUBA KNOWLEDGE AND EXCEL IN QUIZ COMPETITIONS, ACADEMIC STUDIES, OR PROFESSIONAL ENDEAVORS. THE ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS ARE PROVIDED AT THE END OF EACH PAGE, MAKING IT EASY FOR PARTICIPANTS TO VERIFY THEIR ANSWERS AND PREPARE EFFECTIVELY.
  is cuba a mixed economy: Navigating the Boom/Bust Cycle Murray Sabrin, 2021-10-05 Will Your Business Be Prepared When the Bubble Bursts? Sabrin’s book is a must guide for corporate executives, managers, and business owners, for any size company; and for MBA students and executives in professional education programs and seminars to assist them better manage their companies during the boom-bust cycle. The business cycle in the United States has been characterized booms and busts for decades. But how can corporate executives and their firms not just survive--but also thrive--when economic bubbles burst? And how can small business owners steer their companies during the business cycle so they too can thrive and survive. This book is designed to give them tools and strategies to do that. After that grounding in fundamentals, readers are given specific tools and strategies that entrepreneurs and executives can use to help their companies prepare for when the next bubble bursts.
  is cuba a mixed economy: Socialist Economic Systems Steven Rosefielde, 2023-06-29 Bernie Sanders’ socialist advocacy in the United States, communist China’s economic successes and a Marxist revival are inspiring many to muse about improved strategies for building superior socialist futures. Socialist Economic Systems provides an objective record of socialism’s promises and performance during 1820–2022, identifies a feasible path forward and provides a rigorous analytic framework for the comparison of economic systems. The book opens by surveying pre-industrial utopias from Plato to Thomas More, and libertarian communal designs for superior living. It plumbs all aspects of the revolutionary and democratic socialist political movements that emerged after 1870 and considers the comparative economic, political and social performance of the USSR and others from the Bolshevik Revolution onwards. The book also provides case studies for all revolutionary Marxist–Leninist regimes, and supplementary discussions of Mondragon cooperatives, Israeli kibbutzim, Nordic corporatism and European democratic socialism. It investigates the theoretical and practical complexities of command-planning, reform communism, market communism, worker economic management and egalitarianism. It examines communism as an engine of economic growth, and a mechanism for improving people’s quality of existence, including living standards, labor self-governance, egalitarianism, social justice, and prevention of crimes against humanity before addressing the perennial question of what needs to be done next. A suggested path forward is elaborated drawing lessons from the warts-and-all historical performance of socialist economies during 1917–2022 and failed socialist prophesy. The evidence indicates that the key to 21st-century socialism success lies in empowering workers of all descriptions to govern democratically for their mutual protection and welfare without the extraneous imposition of priorities imposed by other movements. The book is essential reading for anyone interested in socialism, political economy, comparative economic systems, and political and social history.
  is cuba a mixed economy: Contemporary Cuba Hope Bastian, Philip Brenner, John M. Kirk, William M. LeoGrande, 2023 This revised and updated edition focuses on Cuba since Raúl Castro stepped down as president. Offering a comprehensive description and analysis of contemporary Cuban politics, economy, international relations, and society, it is ideally suited for students and general readers seeking to understand this small yet still influential country.
  is cuba a mixed economy: Debating Cuban Exceptionalism L. Whitehead, B. Hoffman, 2016-04-30 This volume traces the developments in Cuba following the fall of the Berlin Wall and the subsequent definitive demise of state socialism. Topics covered include: the reasons for the persistence of 'the Cuban model,' and an examination of the interaction between elite and non-elite actors, as well as between domestic and international forces.
  is cuba a mixed economy: Cuban Revelations Marc Frank, 2013-10-22 In Cuban Revelations, Marc Frank offers a first-hand account of daily life in Cuba at the turn of the twenty-first century, the start of a new and dramatic epoch for islanders and the Cuban diaspora. A U.S.-born journalist who has called Havana home for almost a quarter century, Frank observed in person the best days of the revolution, the fall of the Soviet Bloc, the great depression of the 1990s, the stepping aside of Fidel Castro, and the reforms now being devised by his brother. Examining the effects of U.S. policy toward Cuba, Frank analyzes why Cuba has entered an extraordinary, irreversible period of change and considers what the island's future holds. The enormous social engineering project taking place today under Raúl's leadership is fraught with many dangers, and Cuban Revelations follows the new leader's efforts to overcome bureaucratic resistance and the fears of a populace that stand in his way. In addition, Frank offers a colorful chronicle of his travels across the island's many and varied provinces, sharing candid interviews with people from all walks of life. He takes the reader outside the capital to reveal how ordinary Cubans live and what they are thinking and feeling as fifty-year-old social and economic taboos are broken. He shares his honest and unbiased observations on extraordinary positive developments in social matters, like healthcare and education, as well as on the inefficiencies in the Cuban economy.
  is cuba a mixed economy: The History of Cuba Clifford L. Staten, 2015-03-24 A thorough examination of the history of Cuba, focusing primarily on the period from the revolution in 1959 to the present day. This historical overview connects significant events from Cuba's past with the country's current social and political changes. Author Clifford L. Staten reviews the changing landscape of Cuba and explores subjects such as the relationship between the domestic and international political economy of Cuba; the successes and failures of Castro's revolution; the importance of the U.S. role in Cuban politics and commerce; and the problems associated with an agricultural fiscal structure based upon sugar. The revised edition includes additional biographies of key figures from recent history and an expanded bibliography of notable resources. Updated content features a look at censorship issues with the rise of the Internet and social media in Cuba and the transfer of power to Raul Castro in 2006. Other topics include Spanish colonialism, the struggle for independence, Castro's revolution, the Cold War, and the impact of globalization.
  is cuba a mixed economy: Santería in New York City Steven Gregory, 1999 In revising his 1985 doctoral dissertation for the New School for Social Research, Gregory has not attempted to incorporate scholarship since then on the Afro-Cuban religion, but has added important recent works to his bibliography. He sets out to understand why practitioners of Santera in New York found its beliefs and practices socially, culturally, and at times politically meaningful in their everyday lives. He traces its vitality to its role as a sociohistorical site of resistance to the political and cultural domination of slavery and more recently, to racially and ethnically based forms of social subordination, both in the US and in Cuba.