Cuba: Past, Present, and Future | Cosmopod

source : Cosmopod: Cuba: Past, Present, and Future with Helen Yaffe

Notes

Helen Yaffe says that [[Cuba]] is a [[democracy]], though one unlike those found throughout the world. Their vision of government was one that was inspired by their past prior to the [[Cuban Revolution]].

After the [[Cuban Revolution]], representative organizations were set up immediately. These organizations offer various levels of representation spanning from the local level to the national level.

Some principles on Cuban democracy:

• The communist party does not stand in elections
• Cuban political system is always in flux, trying to improve itself

Levels of Cuban government:

• Municipalities, which elect representatives which are rotated frequently
• Municipal assembly
  • Can’t nominate yourself, must be nominated by someone else
  • Must specify what you’ve done for the community
  • Once you’ve won, you’re not paid
    • Stay part of the community
  • Every 6 months you must report results
    • Electorate may recall you
• Provincial assembly
  • Elected from municipal assembly
• National assembly
  • Elected from provincial assembly
  • Half come up through above process
  • Even [[Fidel Castro]] was elected in this manner
  • Other half come from organizations of the masses, such as students’s federation, trade unionists, etc.
• Council of State
  • Elected from national assembly
  • Elects people to run country

In 1970s Cuba had chose to take a socialist route, and [[Fidel Castro]] had originally not wanted to. “He lost the argument.”

[[Cuba]] is a [[representative democracy]], though not like the [[United States]].

Council of State is consensus-based.

An important part of Cuban government is government public consultation, where the government is extremely concerned about what the people think and takes people’s ideas into consideration and receive feedback.

I don’t think many Americans think that they elect their president.

Related links:

• A Comparative Analysis of US and Cuban Democracy | Analysis | teleSUR English
• How Democracy Works in Cuba - YouTube