Castro Key to Democracy in Cuba

Contact: Michael Smart, 378-7320[email protected]

New study suggests Castro is key to democracy in Cuba

PROVO, Utah -- As Americans prepare to celebrate the 225th anniversary of their democracy, a Brigham Young University researcher is touting a new approach to encouraging popular rule in America's intractably communist southern neighbor, Cuba.

In an article in the July edition of Comparative Politics, BYU political science professor Darren Hawkins contradicts conventional political wisdom in concluding that Cuba's leaders, not economic conditions or international influences, must be the agents of change that motivate a transition from authoritarian rule to democracy.

"We should think of transition to democracy as a choice," Hawkins said. "The choice primarily must be made by the elite or leaders of a country."

Prevailing political theory holds that three "structural" factors cause democracy: pressures from economic crisis, a favorable international environment or socioeconomic development.

Noting that those three factors have been present in Cuba for at least 10 years, Hawkins argues that Cuba's continuing authoritarian status is the result of human will -- choices of Fidel Castro. He uses the structural factors to help maintain his rule and is unlikely to choose differently while in power.

Hawkins has researched democracy in Latin America for a decade and has noticed that most studies of democracy focused on successful democratic transitions. He began his study of Cuba with the idea that he could gain a good perspective by looking at a country that is not a democracy.

"If you research a new drug, you test people who do take it and also those who don't take it," Hawkins said. "Therefore, we can better understand democracy when we understand those countries that aren't democracies."

Cuba was the natural case study for Hawkins because it has less historical experience with democracy than any other country in Latin America.

Hawkins began his study with a 10-day visit to the country he described as "prevalent with fear and repression." He also reviewed over 100 studies regarding democracy and Cuba. From this research emerged Hawkins' counterintuitive recommendations regarding the United States' relationship with Cuba.

Hawkins explained that U.S. dealings with Cuba -- embargoes, sanctions and other forms of punishment -- do not foster an environment in which key political figures will want to pursue a course to democracy. Rather, he said, they solidify Castro's attempts to make the United States a villain in the eyes of Cubans.

Hawkins suggests a more constructive relationship would be one in which the United States takes positive actions that would encourage a human choice for democracy, such as ending the restrictions on the trade of goods like foodstuffs and eliminating sanctions against other countries that trade with Cuba. Such gestures, Hawkins believes, would weaken Castro's ability to cast the United States in a negative light and invigorate Cubans' perception of democracies.

Darren Hawkins: (801) 378-5526

- ### -