GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT STUDIES

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                                                                                     GLOBAL

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             DEVELOPMENT STUDIES

                                                                            Copyright © 1999 International Development Options

                                                                                               All Rights Reserved

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Volume One                                                                   Winter 1998-Spring 1999                                                               Numbers 3-4.

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    THE PROSPECTS FOR DEMOCRACY IN CUBA

 

    Peter M. Sanchez

    Department of Political Science

    Loyola University Chicago

    6525 Sheridan Road

    Chicago, IL 60645

    Published online: December 15, 2016

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    ABSTRACT

 

This article examines why Cuba is not considered to be democratic and shows how the classification of Cuba as a totalitarian or authoritarian regime has been a political decision.  Considering the principal factors that contributed to the loss of a democratic potential in Cuba, the discussion elaborates on the possibilities for the emergence of democracy in Cuba soon.  It concludes by raising the prospect that a democratic transition, while practically inevitable, could come about peace­fully or violently, depending largely on United States policy.