Cuba : From Revolution to Development

Rating:
Summary: An analysis of the revolution seeing socialism as a process
Review: Cole presents a different perspective on the Cuban revolution that challenges the orthodox approaches that have viewed the Revolution as in need of reform or essentially a failure. The reformist approach understands Cuban development as a socialist system that needs to adjust to market socialism in order to survive. Alternatively the Cuban revolution can be viewed as alien to human nature and Cubans should reject socialism and join the globalisation of their economy using market forces. Cole analyses these views from a perspective of human nature where people can be seen as individuals with their own tastes and talents requiring market freedoms in order to survive or people as social beings needing guidance and control to bring social consensus. Social beings can be taught how to behave and work together to bring stability but guided by a paternalistic state. Socialism is possible but under state guidance and reforms. The final scenario is the consideration of people as social individuals who are creative but adaptable. Cole links these three perspectives to Cuban development and makes a significant case for seeing the Revolution as one that has been linked to understanding people as social individuals. This is a book that deserves to be read by Cubanologists, Students and Development Theorists for it makes a significant challenge to orthodox thinking.