Cuba Quote by Keith Bolender
““American control was represented as desirable as it would bring social stability, political maturity and economic prosperity to the child-like Cubans. Naturally then, the Cubans would acquiesce to the wishes of the adult. In this regard local opinion was made irrelevant, as no right thinking person would reject subservience when it brought so much benefit. Connecticut senator Orville Platt articulated the view, “No man is bound to adopt a child, as we have adopted Cuba; but having adopted a child he is bound to provide for it.”7””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Politics of Dependency, 2021
The quote argues that portraying control as beneficial makes the controlled population accept subservience, ignoring their own agency.
In simple terms: Control is sold as helpful, so people accept it without questioning.
Key Takeaway
Question who benefits from imposed control.
Themes
power
control
dependency
politics
colonialism
Mood
critical
skeptical
analytical
Type
political
historical
critical
When to use this quote
- foreign policy
- development aid
- social engineering
- public opinion
- media framing
Key Concepts
hegemony
paternalism
Questions to Reflect On
- Who decides what is “beneficial” for a community?
- How can societies retain agency under paternalistic narratives?
A Different Perspective
Assumes all benefits are genuine and overlooks resistance.
![“The reason we have a Cuban Adjustment Act is because, at the beginning, they [migrants] were fleeing political persecution.” quote by Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6f0/marco-rubio-355_adjustment_the-reason-we-have-a-cuban-adjustment-ac_2056839.jpg)
