Cuba has one political party, the communist party. A group of 25 people can create another party, but the constitution would not allow that party to post a candidate for election.
Cuba sees itself as a true democracy because people vote for local municipal presidents, somewhat like mayors, every two and a half years. There are 169 of these municipalities. Additionally, the 16 provinces each elect an assembly. At the national level, the national assembly, described to us as parallel to our congress or a parliament, is comprised of municipal and provincial presidents, plus 50 seats appointed by the president of the national assembly, currently Ricardo Alarcón de Quesado. This body reportedly makes laws which are then implemented by the 20-member council of state. And additional council of ministries represents specialties, such as transportation, health and education, the two latter being most involved in our studies on this trip. Raul is president of both councils, and we were told that he cannot pass any laws.
I understand the structure, but something seemed to be missing in the explanation. I would like to better understand the balance of power, especially in the greater context of how private enterprise is expected to grow, how social services will promote greater individual freedoms that include people with DD, such as marriage and group homes for persons with aging parents, supported employment without government placement, etc., etc.
No comments:
Post a Comment