US Imperialism and Cuban Development w/ Andrew Smolski

US Imperialism and Cuban Development w/ Andrew Smolski

Author: Alexander Scott July 3, 2026 Duration: 1:20:36

Alexander Scott speaks with rural sociologist Andrew Smolski about U.S. imperialism and the long history of empire in Cuban development.  Drawing on Smolski's archival research and his work on Cuban agriculture, the conversation traces how imperialism has shaped Cuba's capacity to develop across five centuries — from Spanish colonialism, the Haitian Revolution, and the rise of the sugar-slavery complex, through U.S. occupation and the Platt Amendment era, to a blockade now in its seventh decade — and asks what it would mean for development research to treat imperialism as a condition of development rather than mere background.

Andrew Smolski is an assistant professor of rural sociology in the Department of Agricultural Economics, Sociology, and Education at The Pennsylvania State University, and a member of the Latin American Perspectives editorial collective.

Further reading from our guest:

"Interrogating Structural Conditions for Agricultural Production: A Comparative-Historical Study of Cuban Incorporation, Delinking, and Exile," Journal of World-Systems Research 28(2), 2022 (open access):
https://jwsr.pitt.edu/ojs/jwsr/article/view/1117

The Agrarian Question as an Ecological Question in Latin America, special issue of Latin American Perspectives (January 2024), co-edited with Daniela García Grandón and Joana Salém Vasconcelos:
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0094582X241252111

Violence, Capital Accumulation, and Resistance in Contemporary Latin America, special issue of Latin American Perspectives (January 2021), co-edited with Matthew Lorenzen:
https://doi.org/10.1177/0094582X20975005

"Class Struggle and Violence in Latin American Cities," Latin American Perspectives 48(1):
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0094582X19860470

For more information about Latin American Perspectives, our podcasts, and guests, please contact lap.outreach@gmail.com.

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In the space where academic rigor meets urgent political conversation, you'll find Latin American Perspectives. Hosted by Alexander Scott, this podcast extends the vital legacy of its namesake journal, a cornerstone of Latin American Studies for over four decades. It is a forum dedicated to untangling the complex social and economic forces that define the region. Each episode delves into discussions on capitalism's evolving structures, the enduring impacts of imperialism, and the practical realities of socialist movements across the Americas. The analysis is progressive, deeply researched, and grounded in the belief that understanding these systems is crucial for grasping contemporary realities. Listeners will encounter thoughtful debates and critical insights drawn from a tradition of scholarly activism. The podcast itself is produced as two distinct series: the main Latin American Perspectives episodes and the curated selections of Editors' Choice, together offering a multifaceted auditory journey into the political heart of the hemisphere. It’s for anyone who believes that the most compelling stories are those that examine power, resistance, and the ongoing struggle for equity. Tune in for a podcast that treats sound as a medium for serious, engaging scholarship and necessary dialogue.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 32

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