Recent events have revealed a lack of control on the part of government institutions leading to illegalities in the exercise of self-employment, which were not confronted with the necessary resolve creating an environment of impunity and stimulating the accelerated growth of activities that have never been authorized. […] Problems should be identified before they appear […]
Does Cuba Have a Future in Manufacturing?
Cuba has experienced a serious “de-industrialization” from which, by late 2014, it had not recovered. The causes of the collapse are complex and multi-dimensional. The consequences include job and income loss, the loss of an important part of its economic base, the loss of much of the potential for export expansion and diversification, and rust-belt […]
The Concept of a “Loyal Opposition” in the Cuban Context
Cuba has had and continues to have a “Loyal Opposition.” It consists of a broad range of independent analysts, many or perhaps most of whom are outside the official institutional structure. Included here would be independent journalists (14ymedio, many “bloggers” or web-based groupings), activists of many sorts, independent economists, and some academics among others. But […]
Potentials and Pitfalls of Cuba’s Move Toward Non-Agricultural Cooperatives
Notes1 In the process of re-analyzing the issues and problems facing the Cuban economy following the July 2006 accession to power by Raúl Castro, it was concluded that much of the state sector of the economy — and the planning process under which it operated — was irredeemably inefficient. Numerous attempts had been made to […]
Cuba’s Strategic Economic Re-Orientation
Cuba’s strategy for its economic development is in the process of reformulation.1 The “grand design” that predominated since the ending of the special relationship with the former Soviet Union—or the “Special Period in Time of Peace”—has essentially been terminated. The basic features of a new strategy are now becoming apparent, though a definitive delineation is […]