Socialist Human Development and the Promise of a New Humanism: The Case of Cuba

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 13
  In Roundtable Session: International Education From the Front Lines: Social Justice Within and Across Borders

Abstract

This paper presentation posits that humanity suffers from a moral crisis that is evident in today’s world of inequality, war, and unfreedoms. It draws on Marx’s body of work to examine how values of ways of being may be shaped by Cuba's "working socialism." An ethnographic study of Cuban life reveals strong values for education, solidarity, interdependence, and community. However, the study also reveals tensions that arise from economic underdevelopment and increasing inequality due to the tourist industry. The study shows significant promise for developing a greater value for humanity and also reveals some of the challenges that must be overcome.

Author

• Lilia D. Monzo, Chapman University