This paper attempts to analyze which factors played a significant role in the resumption of the diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba during Obama's administration (2009-2017). The diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba have been deeply shaped by several political and especially ideological tensions since the 20th century. The US foreign policy to-wards Cuba in the last decades has been characterized by hard-power measures such as sanctions and restrictions. However, a milestone in the history of the continent has been placed by Obama's government, which achieved a historical rapprochement with the Cuban government of Castro. Both US and Cuba don't know the ultimate outcome of the normalization process that started during the Obama's administration; nevertheless, they expect to move even more toward a friendly relationship despite the changes in the Cuba-foreign policy in the current times.
In order to determine which aspects were crucial for the attainment of this historical event, the most important arguments from the commercial liberalism and the constructivist theory should be examined. On one side it should be analyzed whether some of the structural changes and economic developments brought with the end of the Fidel Castro era had a significant impact on the shift in the U.S foreign policy toward Cuba and favored the resumption of the diplomatic relations with Cuba. On the other hand, it should be discussed which disparities and similarities in the national identities, and values of both countries, which root in very diverse historical events; may have contributed to a political rapprochement.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Resumption of the diplomatic relations between the USA and Cuba
2.1 Relationship and diplomatic relations USA-Cuba between 1989 and 2009
2. 2 Political rapprochement of the Obama’s government (2009-2017)
3. Theories (Hypothesis development)
3.1 Liberalism
3.2 Constructivism
4. Analysis (Hypothesis testing)
4.1 Liberalism
4.1.1 Role of soft power in the enhancement of cooperation and multilateralism
4.1.2 Commercial liberalism – economic opening and democracy promotion
4.1.3 Impact of economic cooperation and international organizations in the regional integration
4.2 Constructivism
4.2.1 Role of national identity and political ideology in international cooperation
4.2.2 Incompatibility of values, principles and norms as obstacle for the strengthening of civil society and the respect of human rights
5. Conclusion
6. Bibliography
Research Objectives and Topics
This paper aims to identify the key factors that facilitated the historical resumption of diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba during the Obama administration (2009-2017), evaluating these events through the lenses of commercial liberalism and constructivist theory.
- The influence of economic incentives and structural changes on U.S.-Cuban foreign policy.
- The application of the "Obama doctrine" and the use of soft power in diplomatic rapprochement.
- The impact of Cuba's internal economic reforms and market liberalization on regional integration.
- An analysis of divergent national identities and ideological tensions as barriers to complete reconciliation.
- A comparative assessment of commercial liberalism versus constructivism in explaining state behavior in this context.
Excerpt from the Book
2. Resumption of the diplomatic relations between the USA and Cuba
Since the end of the Cuban revolution, one of the most important historical events that have taken place in the American continent, the relationship between the United States and Cuba has been shaped by several ideological differences and political tensions. With the collapse of the Soviet Union, Cuba lost its most important partner, while the United States strengthened its power position. The victory of America over the communist block doubtless changed the international order and the political environment, favoring the spread of the western democratic values. As a result of this ideological victory, the USA had to rethink its foreign policy toward Cuba in order to promote a democratic transition in the socialist country.
During the George H.W Bush administration, the Cuban Democracy Act was introduced in 1992. This political measure led to the intensification of the embargo that was originally imposed a few decades before. As a result of that, the political tension between both countries increased and intensified an internal political debate regarding the foreign policy toward the Latin-American country (vgl. Schwob 2009: 48). In 1996 the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act was signed as one further attempt to put an end to the Castro’s mandate and support a democratic transition in the country. The hardliners of the interest group played an important role in this process (vgl. Dominguez 2008: 65). As it states on the Report of an Independent Task Force Sponsored by the Council on Foreign Relations, promoted by Clinton's administration in 1999; Cuba received several recommendations regarding the strengthening of the civil society and the respect for human rights as vital steps for the promotion of democracy in Cuba. The Independent Task Force on US-Cuban relations pretended to improve the relationship between both countries and move towards a possible resumption of the diplomatic relations.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Outlines the historical context of U.S.-Cuban tensions and defines the analytical framework using liberal and constructivist theories to examine the 2009-2017 rapprochement.
2. Resumption of the diplomatic relations between the USA and Cuba: Traces the historical evolution of the bilateral relationship from the post-revolutionary period through the Obama administration's specific efforts to normalize ties.
3. Theories (Hypothesis development): Introduces the theoretical pillars of the study, specifically exploring how liberalism and constructivism provide alternative explanations for state cooperation and identity-based conflicts.
4. Analysis (Hypothesis testing): Applies the theoretical models to empirical evidence, examining the role of soft power, economic reform, and the fundamental incompatibility of political values between the two nations.
5. Conclusion: Synthesizes the findings, suggesting that while economic factors played the primary role in driving cooperation, significant ideological and value-based discrepancies remain as major hurdles.
6. Bibliography: Lists the academic sources, reports, and official documents utilized for the investigation.
Keywords
Diplomatic relations, United States, Cuba, Obama administration, Liberalism, Constructivism, Foreign policy, Soft power, Economic reform, Human rights, Normalization, International relations, National identity, Civil society, Rapprochement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research?
The research explores the contributing factors behind the normalization of diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba during the presidency of Barack Obama (2009-2017).
Which theoretical frameworks are used in this study?
The author employs commercial liberalism and constructivist theory to evaluate the motivations and obstacles surrounding the rapprochement process.
What is the central research question?
The study seeks to analyze which factors were most influential in the resumption of ties and whether commercial liberalism or constructivism offers a better analytical perspective for this case.
What methodology does the paper follow?
The paper utilizes qualitative and quantitative analysis of primary data sources, including reports from international organizations and official surveys, to test its research hypotheses.
What does the main body of the work cover?
The main body examines the historical relationship, the Obama doctrine, the impact of economic reforms in Cuba, and the influence of national identity and ideological differences on bilateral cooperation.
Which keywords characterize this paper?
Key terms include diplomatic relations, U.S.-Cuba policy, Obama administration, soft power, commercial liberalism, and constructivism.
How did economic reforms in Cuba influence the U.S. approach?
The author argues that Cuba's gradual move toward market-oriented economic reforms signaled to the U.S. that a more participative, engagement-based approach could foster democratic transformation.
What role does "soft power" play in the Obama administration's strategy?
Soft power, including cultural and academic exchanges and the use of public democracy tools, was used as a strategy to build relationships and reduce the information blockade on the island.
Why does the author consider ideological differences an ongoing obstacle?
Despite economic shifts, the deep-rooted incompatibility of values regarding human rights, political pluralism, and sovereignty continues to create tensions that hinder full political reconciliation.
Does the author conclude that the rapprochement was successful?
The author concludes that while significant progress was made due to economic incentives, the "Castro legacy" and ideological divide remain deeply institutionalized, complicating the normalization process.
- Quote paper
- Daniela Forero Nuñez (Author), 2019, Contributing factors in the resumption of the diplomatic relations between United States and Cuba during Obama’s administration (2009-2017), Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1035669
