“Fidel Castro’s social and cultural policies were more successful than his economic policies.” Discuss.

The question requires that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the statement that Castro’s social and cultural policies were more successful than his economic policies. The impact of Castro’s policies may extend beyond the timeframe, but they must be clearly linked to the issue raised in the question. Candidates may offer equal coverage of social/cultural and economic policies, or they may prioritize their discussion of one of them. However, both aspects will be a feature of the response. Candidates may consider the achievements of education reforms, health policies, policies towards women or racial policies. They may discuss the impact of the agrarian reforms or of economic programmes, such as Guevara’s moral incentives; the Revolutionary Offensive (1968) or the “Year of the 10 Million Ton Harvest” (1970). Candidates may refer to Cuba’s economic dependence on the Soviet Union. While other relevant factors, such as relations with the US and the USSR, may be referred to, the bulk of the response will remain on the issue raised in the question. Candidates may agree, partly agree or disagree with the statement.