Introduction: Finding a new road (again) to a socialist economy and economic well-being in Cuba / Al Campbell -- Part I: The macroeconomy: 1. Fifty years of revolution in the Cuban economy: a brief overview / Jose Luis Rodríguez -- 2. The evolution of Cuba's macroeconomy: from the triumph of the revolution through the special period / Oscar U-Echevarría Vallejo -- 3. Cuba's insertion in the international economy since 1990 / Nancy A. Quiñones Chang -- 4. Medium and long-range planning in Cuba: historical evolution and future prospects / Elena Alvarez González -- Part II: Socioeconomic issues -- 5. Creating a better life: the human dimension of the Cuban economy / Rita Castiñeiras García -- 6. Fighting poverty: Cuba's experience / Angela Ferriol -- 7. The Cuban population: major characteristics with a special focus on the aging population / Juan Carlos Alfonso Fraga -- 8. Labor relations, labor rights, and trade unions: their history in Cuba / Alfredo Morales Cartaya -- Part III: Specific branches of production -- 9. The evolution of international tourism in Cuba / Miguel Alejandro Figueras -- 10. Tourism: natural product, source of exchange with the outside world, and ideological challenge / Alfredo García Jim¿nez -- 11. Agriculture: historical transformations and future directions / angel Bu Wong and Pablo Fernández Domínguez -- 12. Expansion of knowledge-based economic sectors: the advantages socialism offers for Cuba / Vito N. Quevedo Rodríguez.