Grassroots dictatorship

The concept of a grassroots dictatorship was created by historian Lillian Guerra to describe her understanding of the unique political structure of Cuba.

According to Guerra, Cuba is a "grassroots dictatorship", because of its mass deputization of citizens as spies, to gather intelligence on neighbors' "subversive" activities, and generally collaborate with government initiatives.

In the interests of "national security", restrictions on the press were enacted, mass celebrations of Fidelismo were conducted, and eventually citizens were deputization into the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution to spy on and expose "traitors".

[8] As described by Guerra, the grassroots dictatorship is best exemplified in the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution, who deputize citizens to gather intelligence on the "subversive" thoughts and actions of neighbors.

The "grassroots dictatorship" also constitutes the total nationalization of civil society groups, including trade unions, making all spaces for public speech monitored by government officials.

[2] Historian Anne Luke has argued that Guerra's model of a grassroots dictatorship is too limited in explaining the political culture of Cuba.