IDENTIDADES 1 ENGLISH IDENTIDADES 9 ENGLISH | Page 49

bold claims.
The conclusion is disturbing for our
culture, but its political finesse is
critical. Bitar and Lowenthal realized
that "rejecting maximalist positions
requires more political courage than
adhering to objectives and sticking to
principles that are so attractive, but
impractical". At a high political level,
they concur: "Transition is not a task for
dogmatists".
The authors also review how these
leaders worked to create and protect
spaces for dialogue both among the
opponents and between them and the
government. These dialogues provided
ideas and analysis for further
developments, as well as the necessary
atmosphere for building consensus
among all actors involved in the
political drama.
Two remarkable examples come from
the same dramatic case: the so-called
"talks about talks", a series of secret
meetings outside South Africa between
government officials and members of
the African National Congress (ANC),
as well as the “hidden” conversations
(bush retreats) between President De
Klerk himself and ANC leaders.
Equally indispensable is working in the
constitutional field and involving as
many
participants
as
possible.
Paramount importance is given to who
are taking part in the process and how it
is implemented. The crucial path of
compromise is marked by reaching an
agreement on procedures rather than on
content, instead of getting certain share
of power according to the logic of
winners and losers. All this stands out
as part of the effort that democratic
actors should make for successful
transitions.
The book also touches the unavoidable
issue of the political economy in
transitions. The role of the economic
context in promoting or thwarting a
democratic transition is not always
identical. Both the economic crisis and
the economic boom can affect the

process in one way or another.
Obviously, it will always determine the
direction and pace of the transition.
Penultimate keys
This book addresses very well the
qualities of leadership for successfully
making transitions. Above their obvious
differences, the interviewed leaders
share a kind of leadership that, in times
of explosive citizenship, we all should
strengthen in our organizations, families
and communities.
The features and essential skills of such
leadership in the critical moments of
transition constitute a Decalogue that
every citizen should bear in all
circumstances of the collective life:
• Strategic sense of direction
• Preference for peaceful and gradual
transformations over social upheaval or
sudden changes
• Extended and diversified bases of
support, and clear understanding that
radicalism and intransigence are
unfavorable
• Resolution and courage, even at the
risk of life
• Patience, persistence and resilience
• Self-confidence
• Confidence in the competent people
who can advise on complex issues
• Ability to listen and to persuade with a
highly civilized language amid the
tensions and divisions emerging from
change and repression
• Ability to mobilize external support
• Quick adaptation to circumstances.
The review of this exceptiona l book for
our changing times ends with seven
corollaries that, according to the
authors, arose from dissimilar and not
always well-paved transitions. For
Cubans,
these
corollaries
have
inestimable importance after so many
years of unsuccessful attempts, in
strategic terms, to promote democracy
in the Isle.

48