Weaknesses in the Design of Development Strategy

In designing and implementing their development strategy for the 1960s, the Cuban leaders operated as though a high level of investment, especially investment in modern equipment, was the key to economic expansion. This view of the development process probably had origins in a limited diagnosis of Cuba’s failure to develop in the capitalist era, a diagnosis which confused manifestations with causes. Cuba’s subordination within the imperialist system was, to be sure, the central factor in the diagnosis. But, in particular, the diagnosis focused on the fact that domination of Cuban society by imperialism had meant an alienation of the country’s economic surplus and, consequently, low rates of investment. Moreover, the structures imposed by imperialism had also led to high rates of unemployment and relatively limited use of modern technology.