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<p>The goal of this thesis is to explain Cuba’s ability to maintain its autonomy against a large state actor, in this case, the United States.  Since the Cuban Revolution in 1959, the United States has pursued the goal of regime change in Cuba, replacing the country’s socialist system with a liberal democratic and capitalist model.  U.S. policy has consistently applied economic and political isolation to pressure Cuba to change from autocracy to democracy.  Nonetheless, Cuba has successfully defended the regime’s interests and remains a sovereign state recognized by the international community.  This thesis argues Cuba has resisted U.S. pressures by using a total defense approach that spans across three areas: civilian support for the regime, a professional military, and international engagement.  It is important to note that although the United States continues to pressure Cuba to change its system, the two countries have cooperated in the past when the United States liberalized its foreign policies.  As a result, this thesis suggests the goal of isolating Cuba may be less successful than economic and diplomatic engagement, a lesson that could be applied to other non-democratic countries.
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<br>Subjects: United States foreign policy; Latin America; Cuba; North Korea; Iran; lessons learned; Fidel Castro; Obama; democracy; non-democratic regime; embargo; sanctions; immigration; travel; expropriations; agency; autonomy; rapprochement; peace</div>
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Micco, Anthony N.</div>
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