Democracies, Emerging and Evolving
Chile and Cuba have undergone various political, social and economic changes driven by the change in national leadership and increased globalization. After the collapse of state socialism in 1989 in Easter Europe , there was serious contraction of Cuban Economy and hence, the need o refine the model of development that was focused on the stare or even find international community support in building the economy (Krull,3). There was a need for the country to adopt major changes especially in the economy and this would not be successful if its liberation was absent in the expanding globalization. The realization that the economy was dependant on the global economic forces, and which the country’s elites could not control made the country to begin aligning with the world trends in terms of politics (Krull,12). The country has been creating alliances with others countries in Latin America such as Chile, Caribbean region, European Union and even other third world countries. The countries international alliances have been undergoing considerable changes recently seen through the unraveling of old alliances and the aforementioned new partnership (Erikson, 411).
The increased corporation between Cuba, Venezuela and China has seen significant changes in the political landscape of a country that is trying to limit the effects of the action of major enemies like United States. In fact, its strong relations with China and Venezuela have in the past been contrasted with deteriorating ties with some of its partners. The Cuba-Venezuela relations have had major impacts on the countries aim of pursuing their idea of democracy, and such an alliance has enable Cuba to challenge the North American idea of democracy (Erikson, 412). These ties have had little impact in pushing increased democracies in the country. When the Presidents Obama and Raul Castro the intention of normalizing their relations, it would be expected that US would use this chance to call for increased democratic space in this Country. There has been reluctance on the part of US to use the leverage it has to call for opening of political space and upholding of civil rights. The Cuban administration has been keen to get more economic advantages and legitimacy without reducing repression or even liberalizing the political atmosphere. However , the political relationship with European Union has attempt to set out some areas of agreement which also covers the need for upholding principles of democracy and a commitment to human rights (TVEVAD, 12).
International influences had a significant role in re-democratization of Chile after 1982, even though some external forces like those coming from US seemed to hinder democracy. Chile has had major confrontations with countries like Argentina and Peru, mostly related to boundary issues but has had little bearing on the democratic rule and space in the country. The major influence that have in the past driven the struggle for democratic space in the country have emanated from the major political players in the global Arena (Ortega, 32). Chile was in its worst economic crises by 1982 and this led to massive protest and emergence of organized oppositions to the authoritarian Pinochet regime. The groups staging these opposition and protest got support from international players. The revival of the democracy was mostly influenced by European diplomacy and a conducive geopolitical global environment, with less influence from US foreign policy. The emerging political opposition provided a platform for international actors to carry out their activities, where as external third parties, they would exert influence by support the hungry population to rise against the oppressive regime and its detractors (Mares & Francisco, 46). The role of external factors was eminent in this case especially from Europe and United States. The protests involved many groups such as rebel groups, trade unions and industry unions, employers’ association and business organizations, who made the large part of Middle class in the country (Ortega, 34). This indicated that the authoritarian rule would no longer stand the call for democracy. The major advantage that these protest has was that they were visible on the global arena , where media station in Europe and United States showed the increasing protests and related them to growing negative sentiments against the regime and the financial crisis.
In addition, the external influence was major experienced through the major opposition parties – Christian Democrat Party and Popular Union, and which received massive financial, political and technical support. Major support to the opposition came in form of technocratic class that provided a link with the international community (Ortega, 34). Since its democratization, the country has sought to be a major player in the international politics even though it has been avoiding diplomatic conflicts beyond the Americas. With a strong partnership with United States, the democracy of the country has been growing over the last two and half years, which includes respect of law, human rights and development in general (Ortega, 37). As a member of major international organizations, the country has embarked on a road to improved government through rule of law, adherence to international conventions on democratic principles and human rights.
The Internationalized Domestic Politics theory may explain the presence of major global political actors in Chile and Cuba. The influence of these actors was more pronounced in Chile than in Cuba, especially since US Governments even with its trade embargos was unable to decisively influence the politics of Cuba, since aspects that enabled this approaches in other areas such as aid were not involved. In Chile, however, there influence of international forces was relatively strong to the point of influence the defeat of the country’s authoritarian rule. The Democratic through Convergence can explain the role of external factors in Cuba as a communist country, where changes have not been growing from internal developments but due to collective strategies adopted by the Western develop countries. While changes in Chile’s democratic space originated from internal dissatisfaction with economy and the regime, changes in Cuba are being championed through diplomacy with international players and other countries. The System penetration theory can explain the changes occurring in Cuba , where due to the changes in socioeconomic factors , global economy and modernization , the Cuban government has been forced accept changes to sustains its economy and political stability. Moreover, diffusion clearly explains the role of various groups such as trade unions and business association to bring change in the country and shift the country from authoritarian rule to civilian rule.
The changes in the democratic spaces in these countries show that globalization has an inevitable impact on democratization process. In isolated countries, external factors such as global economic changes have more influence democratization while countries with major external ties are likely to be influenced by internal factors but supported by international actors. In countries with strong private and public institutions, domestic factors are more likely to drive change. This is shown by changes in Chile where financial crises led to rebellion and opposition to the authoritarian rule, while in Cuba, external factors such as modernization has led to change in political policies. Promoting democracy requires internal efforts first, which provides a platform for external actors to exert their influence.
Works cited
Krull, Catherine. Cuba in a Global Context: International Relations, Internationalism, and Transnationalism. University Press of Florida, 2014. 1-24
Erikson, Daniel. "Cuba, China, Venezuela: New Developments." Cuba in Transition 15 (2005): 410-18.
TVEVAD, Jesper. In-depth analysis EU-Cuba relations: a new chapter begins. 2017:12-13 Available at: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/IDAN/2017/570485/EXPO_IDA(2017)570485_EN.pdf
Ortega, Alejandro. "International effects on the democratic onset in Chile." Stanford Journal of International Relations 11.2 (2010): 28-39.
Mares, David R., and Francisco Rojas Aravena. The United States and Chile: coming in from the cold. Psychology Press, 2001. 46-47
