Each society is strongly influenced by its government and the social ties that bind the people together. These associations and the government set the tone for what is expected of each person by the society that they live in. Associations can be voluntary or nonvoluntary and can have any number of functions within a society. Government can take a variety of forms, hopefully taking the form that is most beneficial to the members of the society. Each culture is affected by associations, political system, and the lifestyle of its people.
There are two associations in Cuba. The first is a nonvoluntary association based on age. At the age of fifteen, male children are taken away by the government for three to four years of military service. During these years, the government influences their thinking in order to assure their loyalty to the current government. The second association is somewhat voluntary, although it may not be wise to refuse the government. It is called a committee association. For each block of houses, one house is chosen to report activities to the government. The identity of the house is kept secret from the rest of the people. The members of this house meet with government leaders and report any illegal activities on the block, even if the acts were performed by family members. The members of the committee association are given special privileges including extra food and extra utilities.
The current political system in Cuba is communism. Until 1976, the head of the government was called the Prime Minister. Then Fidel Castro Ruz changed the title to President of the Council of State and President of the Council of Ministers. With the name President, an election is expected. However in Cuba, there is only one political party. It is the Cuban Communist Party of which Fidel Castro Ruz is the First Secretary. Voting age is sixteen in Cuba.
Under communism, the lifestyle of the Cuban people has been stifled. The people have only minimal communication with the United States. The population does not have access to American television or radio leaving them unaware of the changes taking place throughout the world and close by in the United States. The people no longer have any land rights and the wages that are received are incredibly low including fifty cents to one dollar per hour.
Cubans are controlled by the associations, the government, and the imposed lifestyle. These social ties have bound the Cuban people together holding them in the past with little relief in sight. By keeping the people in strict control, the communist government is able to survive. Most cultures are strongly influenced by the effects of political factors.