Politics
rita2013
cuba.ppt1_.pptxDr. Fernandez
Cuba 2013
Island Nation
Cuba Today
Geography
Area - slightly smaller than Pennsylvania
Natural resources: cobalt, nickel, iron ore, chromium, copper, salt, timber, silica, petroleum, arable land
Proximity to the US, a fact that has shaped Cuban culture and politics since the country was a Spanish colony through independence and revolution. Diana Nyad photo, 60 yr old woman swims from varadero to keys.
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People and society, stereotypes
People and society
People
Population: 11,394,043 (July 2007 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 18.8 15-64 years: 70.5%
65 over 11% (US 13.7%) Median age: total: 36.3 years Population growth rate: 0.273% (2007 est.)
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Cubais a melting pot of cultures, primarily those of Spain and Africa.
Racial and Race and Ethnicity
mulatto 51%, white 37%, black 11%, Chinese 1%
ethnic diversity of population
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People and society
Ethnic diversity, Chinese and Japanese
Chinese community mausoleum for distinguished Chinese-cubans
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People and society: religion
Religions: nominally 85% Roman Catholic .Protestants, Jehovah's Witnesses, Jews, and Santeria are also represented
Before revolution, mostly catholic, now becoming more diverse. Government tolerant of religious diversity since 90’s as long as not directly involved in political work.
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Religion and Politics
Overseeing Habana marble statue of Jesus
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Religion and society
Baptist church by U of Habana
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People and society
Habana neighborhoods, city is divided into neighborhoods: vedadado, Old Habana, marianao, artemisa, Habana downtown etc.
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People and society
Vedado street scene, poor infrastructure—road conditions, is common, like most LDC countries. Lack investment in infrastructure.
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People and society
Old Habana better off, restoration due to UN World Heritage Fund which has invested in historic preservation
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People and society
Old habana
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People and society
Transportation system
Public transportation is reasonable by busses and cabs, with large number of cabs fleet being vintage 1950 vehicles from US.
Easy to get around, most cab fares in city cost about $3 dollars
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People and society
Note gas is subsidized by Venezuela. Pay 1.20 a liter in Cuban currency or about $ 2 a gallon
Car is Russian Lada, from 1970’s, most Cubans who have cars own American models from 50’s and Russian ones from 60’s and 70’s
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People and Society
China-Cuba relations close, Chinese providing loans for improving transportation system—busses and cabs
Plans to replace the dilapidated fleet of taxis with Chinese made cars.
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Infrastructure Outside of Habana
Strategic bridge connects Habana province with Matanzas province
Infrastructure serves military needs is much better.
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Sports and Culture
Sport is Cuba's national passion. Baseball is by far the most popular; other sports and pastimes in Cuba include basketball, volleyball, cricket, and athletics. Cuba is the dominant force in amateur boxing, Cuban music is very rich and is the most commonly known expression of culture.
The "central form" of this music is Son, which has been the basis of many other musical styles like salsa, rumba and mambo. Havana, the Cuban capitol, was the heart of the rap scene in Cuba when it began in the 1990sCuban cuisine is a fusion of Spanish and Caribbean cuisines. Cuban recipes share spices and techniques with Spanish cooking. The typical meal could consist of plantains, black beans and rice, ropa vieja (shredded beef), Cuban bread, pork with onions, and tropical fruits. Black beans and rice, referred to as Platillo Moros y Cristianos
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History and Culture
Colony of spain until 1898, Spanish-American war Cuba transferred to US as protectorate and became “independent” in 1902
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Morro castle and Cabana
Cont’d
Cont’d
Cont’d
National Opera and Ballet in Old Habana, from pre Rev days. Restored with help of UN World Heritage Fund
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Cont’d
Economy:Basics
Cuba ranked by CIA as 117/229 in per capita gdp in 2012
Similar to Thailand and Ecuador.
Estimated about $10,000 in purchasing parity, because much of basic consumption such as food, housing, medicine is subsidized
Wages are low (about $50 a month, on average, so not much for private consumption)
Country’s exports are sugar and derivatives, medical services and tourist services
Cuba faces "massive" problems including a large public debt, dependence on Venezuela, an aging population, decades of brain drain and one of the world's slowest Internet connections
After Cuban revolution, government nationalized private properties, domestic and foreign, and instituted a Soviet style planned economy substituting government planning for demand and supply. Focus on collective goods such as free education and medicine and guaranteed basic food rations. Incomes are very low. Average Cubans make about 300-400 pesos a month, or equivalent of about $50 dollars a month.
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Economy and economic reforms
Basically earnings from its exports are sugar and derivatives, tourism, and medical services to Brazil, Venezuela, varios Middle East countries,---, over 30,000 Cuban medical services personnel abroad repatriate salaries back to Island and Cuba compensated for services
Legendario rum best known in Cuba, handcrafted
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Cont’d
Cont’d
Rum factories
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Cont’d: Joint ventures in tourist industry (Spain/Cuba)
Since Raul Castro came to power in 2008 as President, economic reforms undertaken to make economy more productive and efficient, including attracting foreign investment, establishing tax free zones (as in China to encourage foreign investors), encouraging small businesses and private cooperatives, supporting free labor markets with over 200 categories of jobs in services and retail classified as self employment jobs, moving away from state employment which used to account for 95% of all jobs.
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Cont’d
Hotel built by US Investors in 50’s, now state owned
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Cont’d: Cuba/Canada nickel refinery
Economic Reforms: Cooperatives and Microenterprises
Economic Reforms: Cooperatives and Microenterprises
Farmers cooperatives and independent farmers encouraged to sell food at market prices (demand and supply) after they meet contractual obligations with government contracts for basic staples “libretas”
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Microenterprises: “pensiones and paladares”
Challenges with economic reforms
Irregular and diminished payment to foreign companies due to financial downturn after 2008 impact on tourism, raw material exports
Corruption issues
Rule of law is poorly developed, targeting of business by zealous bureaucrats of foreign investors residing on the Island and their Cuban business representatives creates uncertainty
Micro enterprises subject to conflicting and arbitrary regulations (independent cab drivers told can transport someone outside of Habana, but cannot bring anyone back on return trip)
Politics
Since revolution of 1959, country ruled by one party under leadership of Castro brothers. Some political institutions exist like a legislature, but power in Party and top leadership. Cubans vote, but indirectly thru workplaces and community organizations run by party for representatives to people’s Congress
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Politics
Cuba one party state, communist political system
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Political reforms??
Similar to China, the CCP seeks to retain political control while carrying our economic reforms, but is instituting some China like reforms
proposed that politicians be limited to two five-year terms in an effort to rejuvenate a political system dominated by aging loyalists of the revolution. This happened in China in 80’s
Behind the scenes, Raul Castro has led an anti-corruption campaign and replaced many of Fidel's confidantes with loyal military officials who earned his trust during his four plus decades as the nation's armed forces chief.
Problem that military is in charge of key state enterprises in tourism, energy sector, construction and other key areas. Raises questions about the limits to economic and political reforms should they threaten the interest of top military ranks.
U.S. Cuban Relations
Historically US and Cuba were close allies
Since Cuban Revolution and Cold War there has have been no official state to state diplomatic relations
Cuba is under trade embargo from US. First declared by JFK. Renewed by Helms-Burton
Country is listed on State Department’s list of terrorist states
Plaza de la visa
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