 Castro had moved further left in his politics , influenced by the writings of Marxist communists like Karl Marx , Friedrich Engels and Vladimir Lenin . He came to interpret Cuba 's problems as an integral part of capitalist society , or the " dictatorship of the bourgeoisie " , rather than the failings of corrupt politicians . Adopting the Marxist idea that meaningful political change could only be brought about by a proletariat revolution , Castro visited Havana ’ s poorest neighborhoods , witnessing the nation ’ s social and racial inequalities , and became active in the University Committee for the Struggle against Racial Discrimination . 
