Description
Book SynopsisWhen Cuba's centralized system for providing basic social services began to erode in the early 1990s, Christian and Afro-Cuban religious groups took on new social and political responsibilities. This book analysis how the Cuban state and local religious groups collaborate on community-development projects.
Trade Review“This is one of the best studies on civil society in Cuba that I have read. Adrian H. Hearn combines first-rate ethnography, theoretical sophistication, and a solid understanding of the complexities of the Cuban political context. By focusing on Afro-Cuban religious communities and international NGOs, Hearn shows how the interpenetration of state and citizen action has shaped civil society in Cuba. The result is a fascinating analysis of the ongoing transformations within the Cuban Revolution.”—
Ariel C. Armony, Katz Distinguished Associate Professor of Government, Colby College
“This volume reveals the complexity of Cuban society through remarkable ethnographic research. Based on years of research in Cuba, the work documents the inner workings of communities that use deeply held religious beliefs to promote development projects aimed at securing basic needs. Through skillful analysis, Adrian H. Hearn reveals the realities of life for ordinary Cubans. This book is a major contribution to our understanding of contemporary Cuba, as well as an exemplar for all those interested in how religion and community development can intersect.”—
Margaret Crahan, author of
Religion, Culture, and Society: The Case of CubaTable of ContentsAcknowledgments vii
Introduction: Structure and Spirit 1
Chapter 1. Spirits in Motion: Folklore and Function 31
Chapter 2. State Decentraliation and the Collaborative Spirit 67
Chapter 3. Sustainable Sovereignty: International NGOs and Civil Society in Cuba 103
Chapter 4. Patriotic Spirits: Religious Welfare Programs and Politics of Syncretism 135
Conclusion: Development and Dialogue 181
Notes 191
References 195
Index 213
