Click to return to Reports

Public Meeting on Democracy in Cuba with Diana Raby 15.04.07

Diana Raby, author of Democracy and Revolution: Latin America and Socialism Today, was invited by FRFI, as a Rock Around the Blockade event, to talk about Cuban democracy with reference to her book. The talk took place on Sunday 15th of April at a community centre in Benwell, Newcastle, and had a good diverse turnout of over twenty engaged individuals.

Diana discussed the systems of democracy in Britain and how they differ with the democratic processes in Cuba, highlighting that the Cuban people have more of an active relationship with their delegates, which leads to a truer representation of the voters' views on policies within the Communist Party, from the ground level municipal delegates whose interaction with their local communities is constant and familiar, to the provincial delegates who must meet with the people bi-yearly in reasonably sized groups, this compared with the lack of influence British people have over their MPs, party leaders and indeed House of Lords. This challenges the common perception that the regime in Cuba is one of dictatorship.

Diana then answered questions and there was discussion over points raised, such as the situation in Venezuela and Latin America as a whole, and most importantly how Cuba as a socialist state is not perfect, and not just because of the US blockade, a fact which the Cuban government itself freely admits. These problems, such as racism and homophobia, are always under scrutiny in order for solutions to be made and prejudice overcome, thus underlying Cuba's lack of complacency in its current situation and its ever pushing forward for social freedom and justice.

Don't just get angry, get active! Take action! - click for information

Click to return to Reports