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From the beginning of Cuban history, among the social themes that have occupied Cubans, the topic of race, with its many aspects, has probably drawn the most attention of scholars, researchers, journalists, writers, and social actors, as well as travelers and simply curious observers.¹ The Revolution, since 1959, has taken a path of profound transformation in which racism and its socio-economic and cultural foundations have been severely assailed.

Over the past fifty years Cuban society has radically transformed its institutions and openly encouraged women to become independent, educated, and empowered. As a result, Cuban women revolutionized gender relations and made much more progress than men.

In Latin America and Cuba during the 1960s, the debate over reform and revolution was conducted as though the two were mutually exclusive (Petras 1966; Jaguaribe 1972; Varios 1973). This polarization is explained by historical circumstances.

A Necessary Introduction Socialism in Cuba is in a transitional stage. It is obvious that the country has not yet reached a state of pure, mature, and complete socialism, and the Cuban political system and its democracy cannot but reflect this stage of development.

This paper analyzes poverty and vulnerability in today's Cuba. Poverty and vulnerability are important human issues in any context, but even more so in a society that, exactly 50 years ago, embarked on an alternative path of development – socialism – which prioritizes the emancipation of human beings and the fulfillment of their potential. This required as its point of departure a commitment to social development, justice, and equity, based on universal and multifaceted social policies.

When approaching this topic, it is important to point out what is distinctive about the Cuban case: a triumphant political revolution that remains in power today, that has unleashed a socialist-oriented social revolution, and that has been confronting and resisting US imperialist aggression for nearly five decades. But although its trajectory seems clear, it is worth exploring this leftist government’s political balance-sheet and the scope of its historical experiment. The purpose of the present article, however, is more limited.

El presente artículo intenta un ejercicio de síntesis, realizado a partir de resultados de trabajos precedentes más o menos extensos, y de una serie de valoraciones que aguardan aún, en forma de notas, por una elaboración más minuciosa, en especial las que se refieren a la evolución de la condición laical y el concepto de laicidad.

Introduction

Introduction: Assumptions to be considered

The changing Latin American scenario, now colored by the international economic crisis, has raised once again the question of possible future trends and the question of whether socialism offers a solution to the local and global problems that currently face humanity.