Segmented Ideological Enclave: Social Forces Changing the Nature of Opinions on US/Cuba Policy among Cuban-Americans in Miami

• In Event: US-Cuba Relations

Abstract

Cuban-Americans are changing their attitudes about many of the key components of current US/Cuba policy. The proposed paper presentation explores some of the social forces creating the patterns associated with the changing attitudes. Based on the data from the 2014 Cuba Poll, which the author has directed for over 20 years, quantitative analysis exploring the relationships among key demographic variables uncovers compelling patterns associated with the ideological shift occurring in the population. Specifically, time of arrival, urban/rural origin of the migrant, socio-economic integration into the Cuban Enclave (SES) and the transnational contact maintained with residents of the island have a direct impact on the ideological shift taking place among Cubans in Miami.

The paper presents some recommendations about how grass root mobilization could encourage the integration of new arrivals into the political process in South Florida. While demographic changes are definitely driving opinions among Cuban-Americans, opinions do not necessarily drive policy. Only civic and political engagement will do that.

Author

• Guillermo J Grenier, Florida International University