Communist Cuba And The Castro Regime

Communist Cuba and the Castro regime, some may argue, has failed. The regime has failed to provide the Cuban people the ability to live and raise their own living. For example, the Cuban’s purchasing power in comparison to other countries is near to insignificant. According to a study done by the University of Miami’s Institute for Cuban and Cuban-American Studies found that the average Cuban worker has to work 57.5 hours to purchase fourteen ounces of powdered milk, while the average worker in Costa Rica has to work only 1.7 hours, to make the same purchase. (Azel) But this is changing. Since 2010, Raúl Castro has implemented a series of economic reforms to allow the Cuban people to transition from government jobs to self-employment. This has allowed the Cuban people to become more autonomous and has seen, some may argue, the emergence of a middle class. That being said, has Cuba's economic reforms promoted democratization with the emergence of a middle class or is it another method that the regime has employed to hold on to its power? Before we can answer this question, we must address the extent of Castro’s reforms, and its political implications.

Castro’s economic reforms have legalized the creation of “private sector jobs” in Cuba. Cuban citizens can now open small businesses and hire their own workers; create cooperatives that can function as small businesses in areas from agriculture to entertainment; reduced government funded social programs, and have gone as far as ending some state subsidies. These reforms are associated with a goal to reduce the number of workers employed by the government by one million or more. (Laverty)

To fully realize the extent of this reform, one must understand that Castro’s reform measure has ...

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... if this come to fruition, Raul Castro has already selected a prospective successor, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, who, if he becomes president, will not come through democratic elections. Thus, this façade of change and opportunity to bring change will be dissolved.

Cuba is at a crossroads. The middle class can continue to grow, and the next generations can stand up and fight for what they rightfully deserve. Or the regime can tighten its grip, and continue to oppress the people. As per my original question, , has Cuba's economic reforms promoted democratization with the emergence of a middle class or is it another method that the regime has employed to hold on to its power? The answer is inconclusive. Both sides make a very persuasive argument, but we will need to wait and see what fate befalls that majestic and beautiful island, frozen in time, in the Caribbean.