The Political Thought of Fidel Castro

Fidel Castro (1926-2016) was, without question, a major figure in international politics during the second half of the twentieth century and early years of the twenty-first. Undisputed leader of the Cuban Revolution, influential statesman within the international Communist movement, inspiration for generations of Latin American revolutionaries and tribune for developing countries, Castro played a key role in many historic political events from the late 1950s to the early 2000s, from the Cuban Revolution itself to the peace process in Colombia. Yet, while much has been written about Fidel Castro’s role in these and countless other events, Castro’s political thought—as expressed in articles, essays, books, interviews and well over a thousand speeches—has received relatively little attention.

This book provides thorough, reliable accounts of Castro’s distinctive views on a variety of topics, including revolution and counterrevolution; socialism and communism; anti-imperialism; human rights; the collapse of socialism in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe; the viability of Cuban socialism in a post-Soviet world; and the major challenges (e.g., the environmental crisis) facing humanity today. It also situate Castro’s ideas within the context of, on the one hand, the Marxist theoretical tradition and, on the other, Latin American revolutionary thought in general, and Cuban revolutionary thought. In doing so it explore both the affinities and dissimilarities between Castro’s views on certain fundamental questions and the views represented by such figures as Marx, Lenin, José Martí, Julio Antonio Mella and Ernesto Che Guevara.

The Political Thought of Fidel Castro takes Castro’s thought as seriously as his deeds. Offering a comprehensive exposition and assessment of the fundamental elements of Fidel Castro’s political outlook, it will be essential reading for those who seek to understand the ideas that shaped the Cuban Revolution and influenced revolutionaries around the world.