To Make a World Safe for Revolution: Cuba's Foreign Policy (review)

BOOK REVIEWS 255 administration, official emphasis on Europe, and ideological battles. The authors feel that American strength lies in a pluralistic approach involving the private commercial sector, non-governmental organizations, women in development groups, universities, and private research organizations. Finally, with regard to implementation, the authors feel that the new context in international development, the realities of American ability, and the changing global political scene must be considered in future policy planning. They state that the problem with the current U.S. aid program is not necessarily its problem, but rather its implementation. International cooperation is vital, and better coordination with other governments badly needed. In this regard, the authors note the recent shift to multilateral assistance from the Reagan administration's emphasis on bilateral assistance. This book is an interesting practical analysis of the current state of affairs in international development, with realistic views of its future. It should be informative to anyone interested in development, as all major development issues are discussed. The book offers insightful conclusions, and Michigan State University deserves congratulations for bringing together a wide range of professionals to discuss these topics. To Make a World Safe for Revolution: Cuba's Foreign Policy. By Jorge I. Domínguez. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 1989. 365 pp. $35.00/cloth. Reviewed by Ronald Sasine, M.A. Candidate, SAIS. Jorge Domínguez sets out to define an independent Cuban foreign policy within the context ofSoviet hegemony, arguing that the Cubans are neither independent revolutionaries snubbing their noses at Moscow nor submissive lackeys of the Kremlin. This is certainly not a unique idea; however, Domínguez manages to identify clear patterns that support his assertion and presents a clear argument that Cuban foreign policy has acted independently of Soviet interests nearly as often as in concert with them. The many positive points regarding this book and the quality of research presented notwithstanding, the book suffers from something that Domínguez cannot control: the dramatic events in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe are drastically changing the nature of Cuba's economic relations with its Council of Mutual Economic Assistance (CEMA) allies, as well as its military situation. With this in mind, the conclusions drawn by Domínguez (which, unfortunately, are few in number and often disjointed from their supporting material) serve best as analyses of things as they were, rather than as predictions of the future. Domínguez allows much room for independent consideration and is perhaps wise not to provide a general summation of the future of Cuban foreign policy. Domínguez treats the topic well, with a clear and orderly approach. He stresses the hierarchical nature of Cuban foreign policy goals early on in his book and refers back to them frequently to tie together Cuba's occasionally disparate 256 SAISREVIEW foreign policy actions. For readers with a limited background in Cuban studies, Domínguez provides a detailed history of the major events since January 1959 and enough prior history to set the context. He draws on the actions of Castro and of other leaders of the Revolution to show the development of communism in Cuba, the role of Marxism-Leninism in their thought and politics, Cuba's role in the bipolar security regime with the United States and U.S.S.R, and the eventual role of the CEMA, the western market economies, and less developed countries in the Cuban economy. Overall, Domínguez makes a convincing argument for some degree of limited independence in the Soviet-Cuban relationship. At the same time, he seems to want it both ways: Cuba as willing servant and Cuba as disobedient child. He points to recent changes in the Soviet-Cuban relationship as merely incidental events in a generally continuous relationship characterized by different yet often convergent foreign policy goals. To Make a World Safe for Revolution is an excellent treatment of Cuban foreign policy and provides fine background material and historical perspective. It is justifiably lacking in projections for future developments, while seemingly suggesting that no changes are to be expected. While such a view is still widely held, recent events in other socialist countries portend changes in what many view as an immutable regime. Public Opinion...