Openness processes and new subjectivities: Analysis of the Cuban case

Abstract

AbstractMotivationPrevious studies of the external restrictions on Cuba have not linked it with political subjectivity. Its consideration allows us to make visible discourses and collective imaginations that help us understand the political and economic dynamics of this Caribbean country.PurposeThe article aims to identify the measures, financial flows, and subjectivities that should be projected in the future both to make this external restriction more flexible and long‐term economic growth sustainable.Methods and approachTo this end, it examines, from both a qualitative and quantitative approach, the interaction among the external constraint, openness processes, and subjectivities in the case of Cuba.FindingsHistorically, Cuba has aimed to mitigate the external constraint that has hampered its economic growth through balances of power and strategic alliances compatible with and reinforced by political subjectivity. However, when these alliances have been broken or have been insufficient to compensate for the scarcity of foreign exchange, opening processes that require new subjectivities have had to be adopted.Policy implicationsThe tension between established and emergent subjectivities will define the limits that any opening process in Cuba will face in the future.