Difference between revisions of "Sociolismo (Cuba)"

The use of social networks (family, friendship, or other network connections) in Cuban society to obtain goods and services that are in short supply due to state rationing and the inefficiencies of the command economy <ref>Lomnitz, L. and Sheinbaum, D. 2004. ‘Trust, social networks and the informal economy: a comparative analysis’. Review of Sociology of the Hungarian Sociological Association [e-journal], 10 (1): 5-26, www.colbud.hu/honesty-trust/lomnitz/pub03.doc</ref><ref>Díaz-Briquets, S. and Pérez-López, J. 2006. Corruption in Cuba: Castro and beyond. Austin, TX: University of Texas Press.</ref>.

The use of social networks (family, friendship, or other network connections) in Cuban society to obtain goods and services that are in short supply due to state rationing and the inefficiencies of the command economy <ref>Lomnitz, L. and Sheinbaum, D. 2004. ‘Trust, social networks and the informal economy: a comparative analysis’. Review of Sociology of the Hungarian Sociological Association [e-journal], 10 (1): 5-26, www.colbud.hu/honesty-trust/lomnitz/pub03.doc</ref><ref>Díaz-Briquets, S. and Pérez-López, J. 2006. Corruption in Cuba: Castro and beyond. Austin, TX: University of Texas Press.</ref>.

The name of the concept is derived from the root word socio, which in Spanish means ‘partner’, ‘member’, or ‘buddy’. The best simple translation for the word is roughly ‘buddy-ism’. Furthermore, the word ''sociolismo'' is a pun on the commonly known Spanish word ''socialismo'', which in English means ‘socialism’<ref>Díaz-Briquets, S. and Pérez-López, J. 2006. Corruption in Cuba: Castro and beyond. Austin, TX: University of Texas Press.</ref>.

The name of the concept is derived from the root word socio, which in Spanish means ‘partner’, ‘member’, or ‘buddy’. The best simple translation for the word is roughly ‘buddy-ism’. Furthermore, the word ''sociolismo'' is a pun on the commonly known Spanish word ''socialismo'', which in English means ‘socialism’<ref>Díaz-Briquets, S. and Pérez-López, J. 2006. Corruption in Cuba: Castro and beyond. Austin, TX: University of Texas Press.</ref>.

[[File: 1 3 Sociolismo.jpg |400px|thumb|left|‘Murals in Santa Clara, Cuba. Translation: ‘To victory, always.’ Photograph by Ramon Rosati.’Source:[https://flickr.com/photos/rvm_71/3213435069/in/album-72157675663161820/]]]

[[File: 1 3 Sociolismo.jpg |400px|thumb|left|‘Murals in Santa Clara, Cuba. Translation: ‘To victory, always.’ Photograph by Ramon Rosati.’Source:[https://flickr.com/photos/rvm_71/3213435069/in/album-72157675663161820/]]]

The second word within the lexicon of ''sociolismo'' is the verb ''resolver'', which literally means ‘to resolve’ or ‘to settle’. However, within the context of ''sociolismo'' it means something more akin to finding some type of good and taking possession of it<ref>Weinreb, A, 2009. Cuba in the shadow of change: daily life in the twilight of revolution. Gainesville, FL: University Press of Florida.</ref>. It can also be described as a mechanism of ‘getting things done’ and ‘to make ends meet’<ref>Azel, J. 2010. Maana in Cuba: the legacy of Castroism and transit. Bloomington, IN: AuthorHouse.</ref>.

The second word within the lexicon of ''sociolismo'' is the verb ''resolver'', which literally means ‘to resolve’ or ‘to settle’. However, within the context of ''sociolismo'' it means something more akin to finding some type of good and taking possession of it<ref>Weinreb, A, 2009. Cuba in the shadow of change: daily life in the twilight of revolution. Gainesville, FL: University Press of Florida.</ref>. It can also be described as a mechanism of ‘getting things done’ and ‘to make ends meet’<ref>Azel, J. 2010. Maana in Cuba: the legacy of Castroism and transit. Bloomington, IN: AuthorHouse.</ref>.

<blockquote>People say, “Voy a conseguir oregano” (I’m going to find some oregano), instead of “Voy a comprar oregano,” [(I’m going to buy some oregano)] because in practice this undertaking means checking the availability of oregano in the aisles of dollar shops; asking about the availability of a secret stash kept behind the counter; finding out which neighbour has some available to borrow, barter, or sell; finding it growing wild on a bush, or giving up until word arrives that some has become available.<ref>Weinreb, A, 2009. Cuba in the shadow of change: daily life in the twilight of revolution. Gainesville, FL: University Press of Florida.</ref></blockquote>

<blockquote>People say, “Voy a conseguir oregano” (I’m going to find some oregano), instead of “Voy a comprar oregano,” [(I’m going to buy some oregano)] because in practice this undertaking means checking the availability of oregano in the aisles of dollar shops; asking about the availability of a secret stash kept behind the counter; finding out which neighbour has some available to borrow, barter, or sell; finding it growing wild on a bush, or giving up until word arrives that some has become available.<ref>Weinreb, A, 2009. Cuba in the shadow of change: daily life in the twilight of revolution. Gainesville, FL: University Press of Florida.</ref></blockquote>

Another political issue in Cuba that creates a safe haven for ''sociolismo'' practices is the extensive abuse of power by the leadership in Cuba, as well as high levels of state capture by politicians who influence government policies for their own private gain. Because of the elite’s abuse of their power in the communist party and the ever-increasing tax levels on the few privatized business on the island, everyday Cubans are frozen out of the system <ref>Erikson, D. 2007. ‘Strategy Escaping the corruption curse’, in M. Pérez-Stable (ed.), Looking forward: comparative perspectives on Cuba’s transition. Notre Dame, IN: Sheridan Books Inc: 212-239.</ref>. The general population faces shortages and cannot afford to shop at dollar stores; they are left to survive for themselves, thus leading to the expansion of ''sociolismo''. The introduction of the U.S. dollar as a legal currency in Cuba in 1993 exacerbated this situation, leading to the greater stratification of society, and ''sociolismo'' practices expanded exponentially<ref>Erikson, D. 2007. ‘Strategy Escaping the corruption curse’, in M. Pérez-Stable (ed.), Looking forward: comparative perspectives on Cuba’s transition. Notre Dame, IN: Sheridan Books Inc: 212-239.</ref>. When societies become stratified, those in every stratum begin to stick with their own group, thus tightening their social connections. In addition, with the introduction of the U.S. dollar sociolismo seemly became international. With remittances coming into Cuba, the trust networks that many Cubans had with their families in the United States became even more deeply-rooted. These trust networks, which are a vital base for ''sociolismo'', transform social structures by making society more stratified from bottom to top (Tilly 2007:10). Because remittances play such a major role in the Cuban economy (and act as a vital source of income to individual Cubans), the trust networks in place to transfer these sums were strengthened, further entrenching the practice of ''sociolismo'' in Cuban society.

Another political issue in Cuba that creates a safe haven for ''sociolismo'' practices is the extensive abuse of power by the leadership in Cuba, as well as high levels of state capture by politicians who influence government policies for their own private gain. Because of the elite’s abuse of their power in the communist party and the ever-increasing tax levels on the few privatized business on the island, everyday Cubans are frozen out of the system <ref>Erikson, D. 2007. ‘Strategy Escaping the corruption curse’, in M. Pérez-Stable (ed.), Looking forward: comparative perspectives on Cuba’s transition. Notre Dame, IN: Sheridan Books Inc: 212-239.</ref>. The general population faces shortages and cannot afford to shop at dollar stores; they are left to survive for themselves, thus leading to the expansion of ''sociolismo''. The introduction of the U.S. dollar as a legal currency in Cuba in 1993 exacerbated this situation, leading to the greater stratification of society, and ''sociolismo'' practices expanded exponentially<ref>Erikson, D. 2007. ‘Strategy Escaping the corruption curse’, in M. Pérez-Stable (ed.), Looking forward: comparative perspectives on Cuba’s transition. Notre Dame, IN: Sheridan Books Inc: 212-239.</ref>. When societies become stratified, those in every stratum begin to stick with their own group, thus tightening their social connections. In addition, with the introduction of the U.S. dollar sociolismo seemly became international. With remittances coming into Cuba, the trust networks that many Cubans had with their families in the United States became even more deeply-rooted. These trust networks, which are a vital base for ''sociolismo'', transform social structures by making society more stratified from bottom to top (Tilly 2007:10). Because remittances play such a major role in the Cuban economy (and act as a vital source of income to individual Cubans), the trust networks in place to transfer these sums were strengthened, further entrenching the practice of ''sociolismo'' in Cuban society.

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[[Category:Informal Practices]]

[[Category:Informal Practices]]