It is no surprise that Cubans on the island want democracy and freedom. What is surprising, though, is that so many of them expressed this counterrevolutionary idea in a recent poll taken on the island.
Do you think a democratic government—elected by the people in free elections—would be more adequate than the current government to solve the country’s problems over the next few years?
Yes 53.8%
No 42.6%
No reply 3.6%
In a country where a person risks being beaten and arrested for expressing such an opinion, the slim majority of those in favor of democracy is a much bigger figure than the number indicates. Especially when one considers the fact that this poll was taken during face-to-face interviews with Cubans on the island. The relatively high percentage of those that had “no reply” to a simple yes or no question, however, is still a good indication of how Cubans are wary of expressing any opinion—whether in favor or not—of the political situation in Cuba.
The best government for Cuba would be a Republican form of Government with the 1940’s Constitution reinstated. A Democracy would be a total disaster as it would be the tyranny of the majority over the minority.