19th-Century Cuban Economic Thought:

Two Visions on Economic Development

Abstract

Different positions assumed by Cuban economic thought can be identified during the colonial period, tied to how economic development was envisioned from the late 18th century to the final years of the 19th century. Even though the subject is approached differently, the main lines of thought share a conception of economic growth within the frameworks of the colonial structure. They address the problem of slavery in diverse ways, yet always with a veiled defense of the institution—a confrontation that occurs despite the participation of not only economists and intellectuals but also the Church. In this debate, different social classes and groups clash as they defend their classist vision of how to direct the island's economic development; however, these ideas remain confined within the narrow framework of insular economic development. This limitation is overcome by the vision of José Martí, who, by analyzing the political and economic changes taking place in 19th-century Hispanic America, fosters the birth of an analytical current on development that would endure in Cuban economic thought. His proposals on economic development transcend the boundaries of the island and acquire a broader vision through a Latin Americanist approach.