1

The Prince and Don Quixote: Leadership traits in Fidel Castro

By: Luis Davila

Instructor: Ambassador Kamal

Teacher Assistant: Jacek Hurkala

Class: Concepts of Leadership

December 10, 2001

Table of Contents

I.Introduction……………………………………………………………….2
  1. The Prince: Morality and Politics……………………..………………….3
  2. Don Quixote: Vision in Leadership……………………………..………...5
  3. Fidel Castro: A realistic visionary………………………….…………….7
  4. The Prince and Don Quixote: Lessons drawn in Fidel Castro……….... 9
  5. Conclusion……………………………………………………………… .13
  6. Bibliography………………………………………………………………14

I. Introduction

With the Cold War long gone, and the advent of intricate political challenges in the new millennium, the role of leaders has become vital to the shaping of a stable and enduring global society. These leaders must learn to address ever-changing political ordeals. To do so, they must draw the essence of past leaders’ experiences, and accordingly apply them to this era. It is only through the study of history’s great leaders that those who claim to conduct society will ever be successful. Hence, one will draw the essence of the leadership lessons drawn from Machiavelli’s The Prince and Cervantes’ Don Quixote, and apply them to a prominent contemporary political leader, Cuban President Fidel Castro.

II. The Prince: Morality and Politics

When Niccolò Machiavelli wrote The Prince, he was in a dreadful political position. From 1498 until 1512, he was an official in Soderini’s government. Soderini acted as Florence’s chief of state, till Spain, in league with the Pope, attacked it and reinstated the Medici family into power.[1] Machiavelli was then imprisoned due to his political connections to Soderini. In order to vindicate his political figure, he wrote The Prince and dedicated it to Lorenzo de Medici. In it, he postulated the realistic qualities “necessary for political success.”[2] He deemed such traits as honesty, mercy, generosity and good faith to be “more suitable for a monastery than for the struggles of political life.”[3]

When he addresses Lorenzo de Medici, he makes sure to tackle several leadership themes. He first deals with his insight into human nature. He admits it would be praiseworthy for a prince to possess all good qualities; such abundance would be contrary to human nature. Hence, a prince should at least be sufficiently prudent to avoid and deny those vices that “would rob him of his state”, and if possible, “to guard against the vices likely to endanger it.”[4] He continues to even though some traits might seem like virtues, they will lead to ruin if followed, while others that appear to be vices will, if followed, result in well-being and safety.[5] In other words, Machiavelli believed that human nature remains constant throughout history. Hence, he was able to use historical examples, and his own experience, to formulate “realistic, objective laws of conduct to guide the prince in his conduct of political affairs.”[6]

As Emmanuel Kant later suggested, Machiavelli believed that being evil was an inescapable human condition. Human desires, especially those of self-preservation are “insatiable and their ambitions limitless.”[7] In addition, they are “untrustworthy, short-sighted, inflexible, and imitative.”[8] Nevertheless, Machiavelli believes that these desires can be controlled, and an effective leader by both manipulation and “prudent use of force,” is able to profit from them for society’s benefit.

Machiavelli also addressed the meaning of chance or Fortuna in human affairs. For instance, in a religious society, everything happens due to God’s will. In a Machiavellian world, “amoral Luck is an inevitable fact of life with which human beings must come to grips as best they can.”[9] Hence, humans are victims of chance, and classic moral values will not protect them from any misgivings. Furthermore, the prince must take this into consideration and make decisions not on a moral basis, but on a realistic and practical manner.

III. Don Quixote: Vision in Leadership

In the same lines as Machiavelli, Miguel De Cervantes wrote Don Quixote in a moment of desperation and strife. He was imprisoned, and in order to support himself, he turned to writing. He at first tried theater, but was outshined by Lope de Vega, and had to move into another genre.[10] He opted for the “novela de caballeria,” or chivalric novel. Nevertheless, he mocked the basic principles of this literary style, infusing a great sense of fantasy and irony into his masterpiece.

In the first chapter, Don Quixote decides to call himself a “Don.” By doing so, he promotes himself to a higher grade of the nobility from gentleman (hidalgo) to knight (caballero). This allows him to become worthy of his followers, and gives him the respect necessary to carry out his ideals.

Between chapters two and four, Don Quixote follows to meet six merchants from Toledo. He then plants his horse in the middle of the road, and challenges the merchants to agree with him that his Dulcinea is the most beautiful woman in the world. By this time, the merchants know they're dealing with a madman and they start to tease him. One says: “Show me her picture, and then I'll decide for myself.” Angered by this lack of respect, Don Quixote spurs his horse to a charge, but Rozinante stumbles and Don Quixote falls to the ground. Then Don Quixote is beaten while in the floor. At first it seems that he is just looking for unnecessary quarrels, but he is just trying to target the long-term goal of becoming a successful knight.

One argues that as part of the sense of fantasy in the novel, there are many layers of illusion and reality in Don Quixote. First, there are the Don Quixote’s own mad delusions. Later, his friends begin to play tricks on him and disguise themselves in order to get him to give up his quest and return home. Nevertheless, Don Quixote never gives up his mission and insists in its fulfillment. Even in Chapter 33 when Anselmo presents Don Quixote’s idealistic view of what the world should be like, he simply assumes that an evil enchanter has been deceiving him. Nevertheless, he was never afraid of shifting paradigms, and remained committed to his quest. As a committed leader, Don Quixote might be considered mad, but at the same time he can be seen as a hero, not afraid to fulfill his vision. Through creativity he is bound to rise to his challenge, in pursuit of a vision and a set of ideals.

IV. Fidel Castro: A realistic visionary

Fidel Castro is an enigmatic leader, who can be seen as a symbol for Latin American dignity, but at the same time a ruthless dictator who has oppressed his countrymen for more than forty years. His image as a leader has divided and helped determine the political attitude of Latin America since his ascension to power in 1959.

He was born in 1927 as the illegitimate son of a sugar planter. He graduated from Law School in 1950, and was already envisioning a sociopolitical change in Cuba. He put this vision into action, and acted against Fulgencio Bautista’s government in 1953. He was imprisoned, and later exiled in 1955. He lived in the United States and Mexico, and in the latter prepared an invasion to Cuba in 1956. After 3 years of fighting, Castro was able to take Havana in 1959 and commence the Cuban Revolution, with the aid of his brother Raul Castro and the enigmatic Che Guevara.[11]

By 1960, he was unable to establish diplomatic and commercial relations with the United States, so he assertively engaged in trade and political agreements with the Soviet Union. In 1961, the United States backed a group of Cuban émigrés, in an unsuccessful attempt to overthrow Castro, known as the Bay of Pigs Invasion. Following this, he was openly aligned with the USSR and increasingly depended on Soviet economic and military aid. In 1962, nuclear war almost sprang, as the USSR placed medium-ranged nuclear missiles in Cuba. This crisis was over by negotiations established between US President John Fitzgerald Kennedy, and his Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev. This allowed Castro to gain great recognition among Third World Countries, who appreciated his leadership in the Non-Aligned Movement, which he presided between 1979 and 1980.[12]

After the collapse of the Soviet Union at the end of the 1980s, Castro’s ability to influence world affairs decayed. Nevertheless, he proudly insists on his success as a leader in bringing prosperity to Cuba, through its revolution. He sustains Cuba’s accomplishments in the past 40 years with impressive figures that contrast with the heavy resentment of his adversaries, especially in the United States (see table below).

Achievements of the Cuban Revolution

1959 / 1999 /
Rank in Latin America
Life expectancy / 60 yrs / 76 yrs / #1
Infant mortality rate / 64/1000 / 7.5/1000 / #1
Literacy / 62% / 98% / #1
Number of Doctors / 3,000 / 65,000 (1/200) / #1

[13]

V. The Prince and Don Quixote: Lessons drawn in Fidel Castro

When he said: la historia me absolverá, or “history will absolve me,” Fidel Castro might have foreseen his political future, as it is yet to be known how to qualify his political career. Nevertheless, one can still draw some leadership lessons from both The Prince and Don Quixote in Fidel Castro’s complex character. Even though quite dissimilar, both works display different facets present in Castro’s political persona. He is both a realist and a visionary; while at the same time an idealist and perhaps a madman.

As Machiavelli’s prince, Fidel Castro can be described as a realist. He argues that the traditional moral standards set by the West cannot be applied to an island such as Cuba. In order to be successful, Cuba had to set its own sociopolitical standards, with its own rules and beliefs. Nevertheless, it must be made clear that Castro does not argue for a state of anarchy, but instead a system that is able to cope with the general vicissitudes originated by a direct conflict with a political and economical juggernaut such as the United States.

Castro actually argues that in order to survive the constant threat presented towards Cuba’s political system, he had to align himself with anyone capable to withstand such might. At first he created such alliance with the Soviet Union, and he was able to maintain his political power till the end of the Cold War.

After the Soviet Union collapsed, Castro had to find new ways to sustain Cuba’s social, economical and political system. He was decided to survive as a political figure, and in 1993 he introduced the concept of “mixed economy” into the island, allowing some private companies to start operations. However, Castro understood that deteriorating economic conditions in the island would not sustain the system, and he searched for a new ally. He found a new partner in his plight to sustain a communist Cuba, in Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. Now, Cuba is able to receive cheap oil imports, and start to develop the sluggish Cuban economy. Hence, Castro continues to survive, and lead the Cuban people probably until his death.

From Don Quixote, one extracts the vision displayed by Fidel Castro. It can be argued that similarly to Don Alonzo Quixote, Castro suffers of grip of misguided idealism. Paradoxically, by adhering to their ideals, as unrealistic as they could be, these characters have become clear symbols of admiration. It is important to note that the character of Don Quixote is a very accurate psychological portrayal of a revolutionary. Don Quixote, just like Castro, can be seen as an example of a man who sets out to transform the world in accordance with his creative vision. Like the fanaticism of real-life crusaders, religious and political, theirs can be absurd, even dangerous. Yet, both Don Quixote and Castro were also able to maintain their consistency regardless of obstacles and difficulties, and became successful to deny absurdity the opportunity to become the measure of their success.

For instance, in Chapter 31, Don Quixote’s attempts to help Andrew, holds similarities with the visionary program of Marxist revolutionaries. It follows the precept that it is not enough to have a vision of the perfect society. Unless society is also thoughtful enough to foresee how such visions will work out in practice, we may wind up doing more harm than good.

Fidel Castro further coincides with Don Quixote when fostering their immense levels of creativity by meeting leadership trials. First of all, both characters were always willing to search for opportunities to search for risks. Don Quixote constantly blunders into fights, against windmills that look like giants, while Castro has never wavered to face the United States economic embargo on Cuba. Second, both characters inspire a shared vision. They both envision the future enlisting participants in the quest. Don Quixote quickly recruits the loyal Sancho Panza, while Castro was able to gather great popular support to establish a socialist state in Cuba. Third, they both effectively enable others to act, by collaboration and strengthening others. Don Quixote is successful to convince Sancho Panza to follow him, as well as Castro is effective in moving the Cuban population to work for his vision. Fourth, both characters have met different challenges and modeled the way for their followers. This was done by both of them through example and planning small but strategic wins. Finally, they both encouraged and continue to cheer the heart by recognizing contributions and celebrating accomplishments. Hence, on one side, Don Quixote challenged the status quo, pursued his vision, modeled the way, and enabled his follower, Sancho Panza, to act. On the other, Fidel Castro followed the same model. He challenged Bautista’s government, followed his ideals, led and showed millions of Cubans the road towards a socialist revolution.

VI. Conclusion

Fidel Castro has proven himself over the years to be a successful leader. One is certain that he had access to both The Prince and Don Quixote, and to a certain extent these classic works marked his career as a leader. From the first one, he probably gathered the need to be ruthless when survival is at stake. From the latter, he probably grasped the need for vision and idealism in any leader who wants to be successful in leading individuals.

VII. Bibliography

-Hartwick Classic Leadership Cases. “Don Quixote.” Oneonta: The Hartwick Humanities in Management Institute, 1995.

-Hartwick Classic Leadership Cases. “The Prince”. Oneonta: The Hartwick Humanities in Management Institute, 1995.

-Global Exchange .org, 2001.

[1] Hartwick Classic Leadership Cases. “The Prince”. Oneonta: The Hartwick Humanities in Management Institute, 1995.

[2]Ibid.

[3]Ibid.

[4]Ibid.

[5]Ibid.

[6]Ibid.

[7]Ibid.

[8]Ibid.

[9]Ibid.

[10] Hartwick Classic Leadership Cases. “Don Quixote.” Oneonta: The Hartwick Humanities in Management Institute, 1995.

[11] Global Exchange .org, 2001.

[12]Ibid.

[13]Ibid.