Evolution Of A Revolution: Cuban Market Liberalization And The Politics Of Participation

Abstract

This thesis1 examines contemporary industrial relations reorganization in the Cuban socialist system to explore the effects on, and impact of, worker participation o industrial relations transition. In arguing that market liberalization has not substantially altered Cuban socialism, I focus attention on national institutions and the process for negotiating transition. I assert that our understanding of the impact of market liberalization on industrial relations system actors can be enhanced through a better understanding of how the state and workers arrive at an agreement with respect to the underlying justification for economic change- what I call the "cognitive basis" for market reform. Key to this negotiation process is how actors direct their emotions and attribute blame for adverse consequences of reform. 1 The "thesis" submitted here is essentially a collection of literature reviews setting up the argument presented in the introduction. Data collection is ongoing, and it is my expectation that it will result in a completed dissertation with the addition of several chapters, including a methodological chapter and an analysis of field data.