Battle of Ideas

Battle of Ideas

Fidel Castro at a May Day rally during the Battle of Ideas
Native name	Batalla de ideas
Date	2000–2006
Location	Cuba
Cause	Special Period Dollarization of Cuba Elián González affair
Motive	Revitalize public morale
Target	Youth
Organised by	"Group of the Battle of Ideas"
Outcome	Increase in medical aid to foreign countries Increased educational infrastructure Energy Revolution

The Battle of Ideas was a mass political campaign in Cuba that began after the return of Elián González to Cuba in 2000. The Battle of Ideas was preceded by popular disillusionment in the economy after the crisis of the Special Period, and a growing embrace of capitalism via dollarization. The Cuban government intended to revitalize the population's enthusiasm for socialism. The effort for ideological revitalization began after Elián González's return, because it was seen as a breakthrough diplomatic success, after years of crisis and internal decline. The Battle of Ideas attempted to emphasize human development, deemphasize economic growth, and return to the ideological spirit of the 1960s. This meant a focus on education, healthcare, centralized economic planning, and the mass mobilization of the population.^[1][2] Cuba also began forging closer diplomatic ties with Pink tide governments, often providing medical services.^[3][4]

The Battle of Ideas came to an end in 2006 with the retirement of Fidel Castro. Soon after, Raul Castro took over his brother's presidential duties and began to roll back the charismatic ethos and policy of the Battle of Ideas.^[5]