Persistence and Renewal
In the early 1990s, Cuban socialism was plunged into a state of internal and external distress due to the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the drastic changes in Eastern Europe [1]. After entering the "Special Period in Time of Peace" [2], Cuba passed through several historical stages, including crisis management, arduous recovery, the "Battle of Ideas" [3], and the updating of its model. Facing a constantly evolving global situation, national context, and Party conditions [4], the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) has consistently remained steadfast in the path of socialism with Cuban characteristics. It has sought new opportunities and a new stage for Cuban socialist development by initiating the theorization and institutionalization of a "model update." At present, Cuba’s model update faces multiple trials across the political, economic, social, and foreign relations spheres. This book attempts to trace the developmental trajectory of Cuban socialism following the drastic changes in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union, summarize the basic experiences and characteristics of Cuban socialist economic construction and model updating, and analyze the challenges of globalization and the prospects for renewal facing Cuban socialism.
Author Biography He Qin is the Director of the Department of Contemporary World Socialism Studies within the Institute of Marxism Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS). He serves as an Associate Researcher with a primary focus on Marxism, socialism, and leftist ideologies and movements in Spanish-speaking countries. He has published the monograph Alternative Integration Movements in Latin America and co-authored four books including Cuba (Nations of the World Series). He has published over 40 academic papers, including "An Analysis of the Historical Origins and Essence of '21st Century Socialism' in Latin America," "Theoretical Concerns and Developmental Trends of Spanish Marxism since the 21st Century," and "Experiences and Reflections on Cuba's Response to Population Aging."
Table of Contents
Chapter One: Cuban Socialism Prior to the Drastic Changes in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe (1) Section I: From the War of Independence to the Victory of the Cuban Revolution (1) Section II: The Course of Cuban Socialist Construction Prior to the Drastic Changes in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe (9)
Chapter Two: Trials and Perseverance during the Special Period in Time of Peace (23) Section I: The Impact of the Drastic Changes in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe on Cuban Socialism (23) Section II: Reform and Recovery during the Special Period in Time of Peace (27)
Chapter Three: The Initiation and Deepening of the Economic Model Update (62) Section I: The Convention of the Sixth PCC Congress and the Initiation of the Model Update (62) Section II: The Convention of the Seventh PCC Congress and the Deepening of the Model Update (74)
Chapter Four: Strategy and Practice of Cuba’s Island-Nation Diplomacy (90) Section I: Exploration and Expansion of Cuba’s Multidimensional Diplomacy (90) Section II: The Evolution and Prospects of Cuba-U.S. Relations (104)
Chapter Five: Opportunities and Challenges Facing Cuban Socialism (110) Section I: Experiences and Achievements of Cuban Socialism (110) Section II: Problems and Challenges Facing Cuban Socialism (125)
Conclusion: Whither Cuban Socialism? (137)
Appendix I: Major Cuban Websites (145) Appendix II: Guidelines on the Economic and Social Policy of the Party and the Revolution (147) Appendix III: Main Report to the Sixth National Congress of the Communist Party of Cuba (183) Bibliography (202) Postscript (205)
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