American anthropologist Oscar Lewis conducted three years of field research on cultural and economic change in Cuba after the M-26 Movement's victory, but the government ended the research agreement early due to discrepancies and inconsistencies. The book explores the research goals, methods, field team training, and political climate challenges.

Format: Hardback
Length: 166 pages
Publication date: 01 August 2024
Publisher: Berghahn Books

American anthropologist Oscar Lewis secured permission from Fidel Castro to undertake three years of field research on cultural and economic change in Cuba in the decade after the victory of Castros M-26 Movement. This book delves into Lewis research goals, methods, the training and composition of his field team, and the difficulties of executing the plan in the political climate in Cuba at the time. The governments reasons for early termination of the research agreement are enumerated and their many discrepancies and inconsistencies evaluated. The experience of Project Cuba offers lessons on the difficulties of doing social science research in any highly surveilled, politically controlled environment, however sympathetic the principal investigator.

American Anthropologist Oscar Lewis and His Research on Cultural and Economic Change in Cuba

Oscar Lewis, an American anthropologist, gained permission from Fidel Castro to conduct three years of field research on cultural and economic change in Cuba in the decade following Castros M-26 Movement victory. This book explores Lewis research objectives, methods, the training and composition of his field team, and the challenges faced in executing the plan in the political climate of Cuba at the time. The governments reasons for prematurely terminating the research agreement are enumerated, and their numerous discrepancies and inconsistencies are evaluated. The experience of Project Cuba provides valuable insights into the difficulties of conducting social science research in highly surveilled and politically controlled environments, even with a sympathetic principal investigator.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781805396079