Cuban History
Paper #3

Chose one of the following questions and answer it in a well-organized, well argued essay that uses facts and evidence to prove your argument. Please use relevant outside sources to carefuly supplement those we have assigned in class.  Please feel free to discuss your approach and sources with me ahead of time. For a guide to library research see:

http://latcar.rutgers.edu/lauria/researchguide.htm

1.How has Cuba's economy fared since the Revolution came to power?  Are there distinct patterns, trends or periods?  What ideas have guided economic policy since the early 60s? What insitutions and policies have been put in place? How and with what results?  Has Cuba solved the historic economic problems of pre-revolutionary Cuba?

2.Has there been democracy and participation in Cuba's political system since the Revolution?  Make sure to distinguish between different periods and institutions when answering this question, and don't allow it to become merely an expression of your opinion.  Discuss political and social institutions, cases, struggles, individuals, issues, etc.

3.What social and cultural changes has the revolution brought with it? How has it affected Cuban's attitudes, goals, ideals, and social experience?  What social institutions have changed? How and why?  To what extent is Cuba a revolutionary "society" rather than a revolutioanary "state"?  How has the Revolution affected people's everyday lives during its different stages or moments?

Make sure you make reference to concrete periods, policies, issues, people, institutions, etc. in answering all of these questions.