4. The Taking of Power by the People

This chapter interprets the triumph of the Cuban Revolution as a consequence of (1) the characteristics of Cuban political culture and (2) the exceptional capacities of Fidel Castro. Cuban political culture was characterized by a belief in heroism and in human possibilities, in spite of the disappointments of the neocolonial republic. Fidel was an exceptional political actor who understood Cuban political culture, who combined theoretical and historical reflection with commonsense intelligence, and who was committed to ethical and revolutionary values. Led by Fidel, the revolution was able to unify various tendencies in order to take power and to consolidate its power through decisive action in defense of popular interests and needs. In the process, Fidel contributed to the evolution of Marxist-Leninist theory.