In this article, let's take a look at Cuba, a small nation that is fighting Corona on the front-lines, by sending several thousands of medical staff all across the world, and what India can learn from it.
In the previous two articles I discussed about who is responsible for the COVID19 pandemic and how. If you haven't already read them, please take a look here:
A FLASH FROM
THE PAST
In the previous two articles I discussed about who is responsible for the COVID19 pandemic and how. If you haven't already read them, please take a look here:
It
was the year 1978, when the then U.S secretary of state, Henry Kissinger said “It
is time to overcome the ridiculous myth of the invincible Cubans. Whoever heard
of Cubans conducting a global foreign policy?”. But what was unfolding
then, was indeed a unique phenomenon on the modern international scene - a less
developed country with no special natural resource base (such as oil reserves) to draw upon, was like the great powers, implementing ambitious foreign
aid programs all over the globe. To a staunch realist such as Henry Kissinger, who looked down on small countries like Cuba as nothing more than pawns on the
global chessboard, where the superpowers were the only players of any
consequence, Havana’s audacity was simply inconceivable - the great powers do
not share the spotlight on the international stage with such upstarts.
CORONA MADE THE
WORLD REALIZE
 |
| Cuban doctors arriving in Italy |
The following were
some of the headlines about Cuba in recent newspapers:
- Cuban doctors head to Italy to battle coronavirus
- Cuba Sends doctors to Spain to help them battle
through the Coronavirus Crisis (It is
noteworthy that Cubans fought the Spanish for independence)
- Cuba sends doctors, nurses worldwide in COVID-19 fight
Ultimately, it was Che Guevara and not Henry Kissinger, who turned out to be the better visionary with respect to the global potential of the Cuban Revolution’s contemporary foreign policies. Cuba’s medical aid programs have, after a brief pause at the height of the country’s traumatic Special Period, re-emerged stronger and more ambitious than ever in recent years. And, like Henry Kissinger, his heirs in Washington are equally appalled that Cuba is once again demonstrating ability via its aid programs to play a major role in LDC (Less Developed Countries, also known as the Third World) affairs and thereby enhance its potential to influence significantly the dynamics of contemporary international relations. “Of all the so-called developing nations, Cuba has by far the best health system. And their outreach program to other countries is unequaled anywhere.” Said President Jimmy Carter, in the documentary film “Salud”.
MEDICAL
DIPLOMACY & SOFT POWER
In geopolitics,
soft power is the ability to attract and co-opt, rather than coerce. In other
words, soft power involves shaping the preferences of others through appeal and
attraction. It includes culture, political values, and foreign policies. Recently, the term has also been used in changing and influencing social and
public opinion through relatively less transparent channels and lobbying
through powerful political and non-political organizations, and through economic influence.
The closest link that emerges between Cuba’s medical assistance initiatives and its larger foreign policy concerns appears in connection with its desire to enhance its international status and prestige, which Joseph Nye has conceptualized as the acquisition and utilization of soft power. One obvious problem that arises with a somewhat ambiguous concept such as soft power is that of measurement or utilization. There are no easy answers to such questions. In Cuba’s case, there are various instances during the Cold War to which one can point that suggest that soft power dynamics were at work, a few major examples being:
The closest link that emerges between Cuba’s medical assistance initiatives and its larger foreign policy concerns appears in connection with its desire to enhance its international status and prestige, which Joseph Nye has conceptualized as the acquisition and utilization of soft power. One obvious problem that arises with a somewhat ambiguous concept such as soft power is that of measurement or utilization. There are no easy answers to such questions. In Cuba’s case, there are various instances during the Cold War to which one can point that suggest that soft power dynamics were at work, a few major examples being:
- Its rise to leadership of the Non-aligned Movement
- Its membership in various organizations promoting LDC interests and cooperation
- Its election to the UN Security Council
A LESSON FOR
INDIA
India’s soft power resources are
multi-faceted - they include sports, music, art, film, literature, its
anti-colonial history, free press, an independent
judiciary, a vibrant civil society, multi-ethnic polity, secularism, pluralism,
skilled English-speaking workers, food, handicrafts, yoga, India’s status as a
responsible nuclear power, the rapid growth of the information technology
sector, and the existence of a large Indian diaspora
in certain western countries. But, are we really a strong soft power? Sadly,
the answer is a NO.
The cause
of India’s under-performance with regard to soft power is the contested nature
of its own identity. India’s leaders are yet to determine what kind of
power their nation will be as it continues to rise, and this indecision
contributes to a sense of incoherence in the portrayal of India’s image to the
world. On one hand, India is the second-largest contributor to the US-led
UN Democracy Fund for the promotion of democracy around the world; on the
other, it continually reiterates its unwillingness to become an exporter of
democracy, i.e. to externalize its domestic political values. Consequently, the nations and people that look towards India for leadership on democratization - such
as Myanmar, are frequently frustrated by India’s unwillingness to commit to a
coherent policy on democracy promotion.
Soft power can help a nation set the agenda and alter the preferences of other nations before they come to the bargaining table. Its main instrument – public diplomacy cannot achieve its aims if it is inconsistent with a country’s foreign policy or military actions.” To foreign policy and military actions, one must add domestic values, politics, and institutions. For soft power to succeed, a country’s message to the world cannot be at odds with the way it conducts itself at home and abroad.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Cuba,
a small developing nation, that has been facing financial and economic embargoes
from the U.S., has been able to acquire so much soft power, enough to challenge the superpower in many issues and even win some. Had it been
developing weapons, instead, it would have ended up like another Iraq. This
should help us understand how powerful we can get, all while being “soft”.
However,
the metrics of soft power, particularly govt. led efforts, understate India’s
record of utilizing its soft power for national objectives. India has found
soft power to be a necessary but insufficient ingredient in its engagement with
the world. As a democracy with a rich and diverse culture, it has often benefitted
in tangible enough ways from its soft power. Clearly though, it must and can do
better in projecting its culture and values to international audiences. As India
builds upon a range of ongoing political and diplomatic efforts - from improving
its ease of doing business rankings, unveiling its Incredible India tourism campaign
or getting International Yoga
Day recognized by the United Nations - we can expect its soft power to
gradually grow.
JAI HIND!
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