Understanding the Place of Cuban Internationalism

For this issue of the International Journal of Cuban Studies we have selected three articles that explore dimensions of Cuba's unique approach to the international development landscape. The term 'Cuban internationalism' encompasses the country's broad approach to dynamic global relations that intersect economic trade, bilateral diplomacy, and social development. The authors in this issue are all careful to avoid the terminology of diplomacy, outreach or aid as the sole defining characteristics of Cuba's international relations. To us, this signifies an important recognition in the Cuban studies literature about how Cuba connects to the world. It is a mix between securing the nation's own interests, while providing valuable cooperation abroad. It follows the idea of softpower, as the ability to hold international influence through constructive engagement rather than military prowess. Cooperation is not purely philanthropic as the internationalisation of health and other sectors such as sport, agriculture and education, has noticeable benefits to the Cuban economy. At the same time Cuba's outreach to countries like Timor-Leste comes with minimal economic gain. Cuban internationalism encompasses this complex, and at times seemingly contradictory, mix of economic gain, opportunism, outreach, philanthropy, aid, solidarity and cooperation. It is perhaps one of the most uniquely integrated approaches to foreign relations in the world.The Cuban government has employed a highly distinctive approach to international relations that removes raw market-based incentive structures and incorporates progressive social development. Few nations have dedicated offices to integrate programmes in these related fields into conjoined foreign policy and development ministries. In many countries, especially in the global North, Foreign Affairs is kept quite separate from national health services. Diplomats communicate officially between heads of state, promoting their nation's political and economic interests abroad. Health workers may volunteer their time for international outreach throughout the year, but for a nation to actively employ its own medical experts for the service of others is quite rare indeed. Technical and professional training in the global North primarily occurs within the realm of post-secondary education, and often through a mix of public and private sector interests. In Cuba, the government handles it all. Some nations, like the Philippines or India, have a history of developing highly trained human resources for export, and often the personnel leave the country in the hopes of remitting their earnings home. Rarely does the country's government directly manage the pay scale and savings scheme of offshore workers. Yet in Cuba the state has a hand in all of these areas. What's more, the international initiatives are often very well coordinated through bilateral cooperation between Cuba and the host government. The articles presented here illustrate Cuba's unique approach to international development through a focus on sport, health and the remuneration that comes with technical cooperation.All of the authors in this special issue emphasise the exceptionality of Cuban internationalism. While still in the process of development itself, Cuban internationalism may foster important dialogue as to how diplomacy and aid can be fostered throughout the global South, while fulfilling national interests at home. Realist political scientists argue that nation states will always seek to fulfil their own interests first as there are socially constructed cultural bonds that compel individuals to meet the needs of their compatriots rather than those abroad. The expected result from this assumption is that nations will approach aid as a product of national surplus when it is convenient for them, rather than acting with the same moral authority to that of their own national interests. It is possible to witness this time and time again. …