A Short History of Revolutionary Cuba: Revolution, Power, Authority and the State from 1959 to the Present Day (Short Histories)

Few island nations have stirred the soul like Cuba. From Hemingway's intoxicating Havana to Ry Cooder's Buena Vista Social Club, outsiders have persistently been fascinated by Cuba for its music (jazz to rumba), its rich literature, its art and dance (danzón to mambo) and perhaps above all for its bold experiment of a socialist revolution in action. Antoni Kapcia shows how the thaw in relations between Cuba and the USA now makes a fresh appraisal of the country and its modern history essential. He authoritatively explores the 'essence' of the Cuban revolution, revealing it to be a maverick phenomenon tied not so much to socialism or Communism for their own sakes but instead to an idealistic vision of postcolonial nationalism. Reassessing the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962, the author examines the central personalities: not just the famous trio of Che Guevara, Fidel and Raúl Castro in shaping the ideas of the revolution but, still further back, the visionary ideology of José Martí. Kapcia's book reflects on the future of the revolution as Raúl and his government begin to cede power to a new generation. Title Page Copyright Page Contents Glossary of Spanish terms Acronyms and initials Preface Chapter 1: The evolution of a radical nationalism The historical context Modern cuba’s unique context The revolution in January 1959 Defining the state Tracing the evolution of the Cuban state Chapter 2: The project to construct a Cuban nation, 1959–61 Returning to the early revolution The emerging system and the changing meaning of ‘Revolution’ Chapter 3: Debate I: 1962–5 The Emerging Revolutionary State and the Meaning of ‘the Revolution’ Chapter 4: The Maverick Revolution and ‘Cuban Communism’, 1965–70 The State and the Meaning of ‘the Revolution’ Chapter 5: Debate II: 1970–5 Chapter 6: Institutionalization, consolidation and greater orthodoxy, 1975–85 The state and the meaning of ‘the Revolution’ Chapter 7: Debate III: 1985–9 The State and the Meaning of ‘the Revolution’ Chapter 8: Crisis and the special period, and debates IV and V, 1989–2005 Debate IV: How to Save ‘the Revolution’? Debate V: But what do we mean by ‘the Revolution’? The battle of ideas: 2000–2005 Reflections on power, authority and the state, 1990–2005 Chapter 9: From Fidel to Raúl: The last chapter? The State and the Meaning of ‘the Revolution’ Epilogue: Cuba under Díaz-Canel. Chapter 10: Reflections on the Cuban matrix of power, governance and decision-making By Way of Conclusion: The Changing and Unchanging Meanings of ‘the Revolution’ Preface Chapter 2 Notes Bibliography Index "Few island nations have stirred the soul like Cuba. From Hemingway's intoxicating Havana to Ry Cooder's Buena Vista Social Club, outsiders have persistently been fascinated by Cuba for its music (jazz to rumba), its rich literature, its art and dance (danzón to mambo) and perhaps above all for its bold experiment of a socialist revolution in action. Antoni Kapcia shows how the thaw in relations between Cuba and the USA now makes a fresh appraisal of the country and its modern history essential. He authoritatively explores the 'essence' of the Cuban revolution, revealing it to be a maverick phenomenon tied not so much to socialism or Communism for their own sakes but instead to an idealistic vision of postcolonial nationalism. Reassessing the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962, the author examines the central personalities: not just the famous trio of Che Guevara, Fidel and Raúl Castro in shaping the ideas of the revolution but, still further back, the visionary ideology of José Martí. Kapcia's book reflects on the future of the revolution as aúl nd his government began to cede power to a new generation"-- (Bloomsbury Academic)