Survey Reveals Only 3% of Cubans Firmly Identify as Socialist Amid Calls for Change

A significant majority (85.9%) believes that Cuba should transition to a more open model.

By Ángeles Rosas | diariodecuba.com

People shout slogans against the government during a protest both against the government in Havana.

Cubadata, an independent survey organization, reveals preliminary findings from its second panel titled “Explorando futuros posibles.” The full results will be presented in July 2024. Key findings indicate that only 3% of surveyed Cubans firmly identify as socialist, while a significant majority (85.9%) believes that Cuba should transition to a more open model.

Survey Details:

• Duration and Participants: The panel’s data comes from six surveys conducted between September 2023 and February 2024, involving 10,248 participants from across Cuba, including 4,552 panelists who were surveyed monthly.
• Context: The findings highlight the country’s ongoing systemic crisis, significantly impacting citizens’ attitudes and perspectives.

Key Findings:

1. Political Ideology:

• Only 3% identify as “firmly socialist.”
• 11.2% consider themselves “reformist socialists.”
• 14.2% are centrist or neutral.
• 21.7% identify as “liberal or pro-market.”
• 16% align with “other ideologies.”
• The largest group, 33.9%, do not identify with any ideology.

2. Perceptions of Change and Government:

• 85.9% believe Cuba needs to adopt a more open model.
• 87.9% think new generations should create new models.
• 53.8% hold a pessimistic view of Cuba’s future.
• Trust and satisfaction with the government have decreased by 7.3%, remaining just above 20%.

3. Social and Economic Adaptations:

• 73.4% report high resilience levels due to the crisis.
• 46% maintain some level of autonomy.
• 67% are compelled to find informal solutions to survive.

4. Changing Life Plans and Values:

• 77.1% have had to alter their life plans recently.
• 64.3% have changed their personal values.
• 78.8% no longer see revolutionary principles as relevant.
• 79% believe socialism is declining in Cuba.

5. Support for Systemic Changes:

• Among “liberal and pro-market” individuals, 65.2% support deep regime and government changes.
• Even 26.1% of “firmly socialist” individuals see the necessity for a multiparty system.
• 30.4% of “firmly socialists” believe civil society should play a more active leadership role, compared to 69.6% of “liberal and pro-market” respondents.

Government Response to Protests:

• The perception of government violence has slightly decreased by 2%, potentially due to the regime’s strategic communication during ongoing protests.

Future Research Topics:

The second panel will also explore themes such as:

• Empowerment towards autonomy, occupational reconfiguration, and entrepreneurship.
• Imaginaries and future projections concerning revolution, socialism, and the diaspora.
• Inclusion and equity, focusing on older adults, sexual and reproductive health, and minority situations.
• Environmental and social sustainability in Cuba.
• Community development and self-care strategies.

Methodology:

The panel study method, used by Cubadata, tracks the same group of individuals over time, providing precise insights into changes and the factors influencing them.

Conclusion:

Cubadata’s upcoming comprehensive report will offer an extensive analysis of contemporary Cuban society, continuing the work of previous studies, such as “Politics, Rights, and Quality of Life in Cuba” by Arístides A. Vara Horna.

Read the full article in English on diariodecuba.com, assisted by Google Translate.