Fidel Castro and the Radicalization of Non-Alignment

Abstract

This article tries to advance the theoretical study of non-alignment through the use of a political psychology-based approach related to the important but seldom mentioned influence of political leaders’ personality traits on the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). Key non-aligned leaders were highly charismatic and voluntaristic individuals whose personality features clearly impacted the creation and development of the NAM. The article analyses the case of Fidel Castro, whose efforts to shape the non-alignment process were particularly important during the 1960s and the 1970s. A close causal relationship is identified between the features of Castro’s revolutionary totalitarian personality—which include revolutionary spirit, charisma, narcissistic desire for power and prestige, and ‘evangelistic’ foreign policy style—and his actions intended to radicalize non-alignment. The case study of the Cuban leader suggests that the systematic analysis of the personality traits of key non-aligned leaders would provide a useful perspective on the evolution of the NAM.