Abstract

ALZUGARAY, Carlos  and  CHAGUACEDA, Armando. Cuba: The Challenges of a Heterodox Reform of Institutionality. Frónesis [online]. 2010, vol.17, n.2, pp.201-216. ISSN 1315-6268.

Combining the contributions of neo-institutionalism and the post-Habermasian theories of the matrix civil society, this text proposes, from a viewpoint that coordinates state and societal dimensions, to introduce a debate about the challenges of an intra-systemic reform for Cuban institutionality, capable of responding to growing demands for efficacy, inclusion and democratization of a complex society ruled by an vertical, centralizing and authoritarian socio-political order. The authors consider that a technocratic reform centered on improving efficacy and governability (such as the one taking place) will not resolve the structural problems of the current model on the island and that only the opening up of mechanisms for participation, deliberation and accountability, which democratically integrate society in the Cuban political system reform would be congruent with a renewed socialist proposal. That would make it possible to preserve the historical conquests of the Cuban Revolution, impeding authoritarian and neoliberal detours, and making development, social policies and national sovereignty sustainable.

Keywords : Cuba; institutional reform; participative democratic project; deliberation; accountability.