Debating Cuban Exceptionalism (Studies of the Americas) [Hardcover]

Laurence Whitehead (Editor), Bert Hoffmann (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 15, 2007 | ISBN-10: 1403980756 | ISBN-13: 978-1403980755 | Edition: First Edition

This volume traces the developments in Cuba following the fall of the Berlin Wall in November 1989 and the subsequent definitive demise of state socialism.  Working from the premise that most non-European countries did not undergo the economic and political regime changes experienced by their European counterparts, this volume examines the nature of Cuban socialism.  Topics covered include: the reasons for the persistence of "the Cuban model," and an examination of the complex interaction between elite and non-elite actors, as well as between domestic and international forces. 

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is a work of great sophistication and scholarship. The editors have brought together extraordinary talent to examine historical, political and societal issues in a way that is original and stimulating."
--Hal Klepak, Professor of History, Royal Military College of Canada
 
"A very interesting collection of essays by international scholars that address Cuban exceptionalism: how and why Cuba did not follow the democratic-market path of its former Soviet bloc allies. Furthermore, these essays give insight into where Cuba is headed."
--Susan Eckstein, Professor of Sociology, Boston University
 
"The authors argue their positions lucidly and enhance the debate on Cuban exceptionalism.  Together, they provide a solid baseline to explore Cuban dynamics post-Fidel."
--Mauricio A. Font, Director, Bildner Center for Western Hemispheric Studies, City University of New York
 
"This extraordinarily timely and illuminating volume on Cuba and its likely future breaks new ground.  Rather than treat Cuba as the final case of Latin America's transitions from authoritarian rule or viewing it as one of the last of the communist transitions to market-oriented economies and political democracy, the symposium points out that Cuba has long been different in important respects, both from other Latin American and Caribbean nations and from the former Soviet bloc countries.  Unlike many Cuba watchers who repetitively engage in ritual praise or denunciation of Cuba and the Castro regime, this thought-provoking collection dispassionately analyzes Cuba in comparative historical, political and economic perspective."
--Abraham Lowenthal, Professor of International Relations, University of Southern California, and Fellow, Pacific Council on International Policy

About the Author

Bert Hoffmann is Senior Researcher, Institute of Latin American Studies, German Institute of Global and Area Studies, Hamburg.
Laurence Whitehead is Official Fellow in Politics, Nuffield College. 

Product Details

• Hardcover: 264 pages
• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan; First Edition edition (May 15, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1403980756
• ISBN-13: 978-1403980755
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,889,701 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)