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"Luciak has taken two taboo subjects in Cuban political thought, gender and democracy, and fused them together in an analytically elegant way. Many people shy away from studying democracy in Cuba because it seems such an oxymoron. Luciak's astute analysis makes this book highly original and significant."--Julie Shayne, Emory University

"A fascinating book on an important issue, employing unique sources of information. . . . A must-read for anyone interested in gender equality, electoral politics, and democratization in Cuba."--Lorraine Bayard de Volo, University of Kansas

In this comprehensive examination of Cuban gender politics and democracy, Ilja Luciak examines the indispensable roles women played in the Cuban revolution and traces the progress of women's social and economic rights brought about by the early revolutionary government. Although the revolution proved successful in guaranteeing women's formal political participation, it ironically inhibited public debate on how to transform prevailing gender relations. As a result, women hold very limited decision-making power in the current regime.

Drawing on interviews with high-ranking Cuban officials, Luciak argues that democracy cannot be successfully consolidated without the full participation of women in the political process--and the support of men--both at the political and societal level.