Market transition theory has developed ever more nuanced methodologies for the analysis of institutional change in an economy at meso- and microlevels of analysis. Relying on several of these contemporary analytical methods, this paper will discuss obstacles to, and suggest preliminarily some theoretical and empirical approaches to the study of, the extent of causal influence […]
The Political Economy of the Internet in Cuba
There are many misconceptions in the United States about the technological and social status of the Internet in Cuba, in part due, perhaps, to the still considerable isolation of the island under the U.S. trade embargo and, consequently, the relative lack of field research on this and other subjects of contemporary interest concerning Cuba. The […]
Second Economy, Second Society, and Political Control in Cuba: Perspectives from Network and Institutional Economics
While economic liberalization movements in Latin America have much in common, national policies often take distinctive forms. Even Cuba has found it necessary to take a number of market-oriented steps to address the economic crisis ushered in by the loss of Soviet economic support after 1989. At issue in this regard are patterns of interaction […]
Issues of Legitimacy and Constitutionalism in the Cuba Transition
There is an unspoken assumption in much of the popular media coverage as well as academic treatment of Cuba that the Castro regime’s longevity is tantamount to legitimacy, under the further assumption that his hold on power indicates a significant reservoir of majority support. This support is taken to stem from the social welfare gains […]