tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7884128379999766348.post8079960275920853658..comments2024-03-28T15:34:01.401-04:00Comments on Politics and its Discontents: Reflections From Cuba - UpdatedLornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15741324981120408977noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7884128379999766348.post-31333699957201971952013-01-28T16:26:22.096-05:002013-01-28T16:26:22.096-05:00That is an excellent question which does not have ...That is an excellent question which does not have an easy answer, doconnor. While I am planning to do some research to learn more, I think one of the problems is the very limited access Cubans have to information. The Internet, as mentioned in the post, is available to only a few, and while I imagine in areas such as Havana radio from the U.S. can be received, there seems little opportunity for a systematic and organized way to learn about the larger world.<br /><br />Another factor, of course, is that as a virtual dictatorship, the state has tremendous power over its citizens. Dissent, as I understand it, is met with swift imprisonment, and public rallies, probably for that reason, are rare. And unlike the revolutions in the Middle East, which were fueled by social media, communications of that nature do not really exist in Cuba.<br /><br />Another reason, I suspect, is that there is no common rallying point for the Cubans. Many have good knowledge of their various periods of enslavement under the Spanish, under the Americans as steadfast supporters of the former dictator Batista, etc., and do not wish return to those times should current government fall. <br /><br />Perhaps the desire for evolution, as opposed to revolution, best describes the yearning of many Cubans. But of course, I am not an expert, and offer this only as my impressions of the country. Lornehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15741324981120408977noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7884128379999766348.post-73661984866268079292013-01-28T16:03:32.896-05:002013-01-28T16:03:32.896-05:00Revolutions are usually lead by the young and educ...Revolutions are usually lead by the young and educated whose potential is not being fulfilled. If Cuba has so many of them, what's holding them back?doconnorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04941265860606353518noreply@blogger.com