Democracy And Poverty In Chile

The development of a substantial and enduring democracy in Chile involves strengthening civil society, democratizing the permanent institutions of the state, and building an economy that can meet basic needs. This book offers a critique of the Chilean transition and of the Aylwin electoral regime, arguing that the contrast between the legal-political changes made under civilian rule and the socioeconomic and institutional continuities with the Pinochet regime has perpetuated vast inequalities in wealth and power. The authors also challenge the myth of the Chilean miracle, the purported success of neoliberal policies in promoting sustained growth, social justice, and political stability. The critical issues concerning the development of a substantial and enduring democracy in Chile are those of strengthening civil society, democratizing the permanent institutions of the state, and building an economy geared to satisfy effectively satisfy human needs.
In this book, the authors offer a critique of the Chilean transition and of the Aylwin electoral regime, analyzing the linkage between political compromises made prior to the civilians assumption of power and the choice of socioeconomic policy in the post-electoral period. They argue that the decisive factor underlying the Chilean transition is the contrast between the legal-political changes and socioeconomic and institutional continuities, a contrast that perpetuates the vast inequalities of wealth and power generated under Pinochets sixteen-year-old military dictatorship. They also challenge the myth of the Chilean miraclethe purported success of neoliberal policies in promoting sustained growth and social justiceand therefore in laying the basis for long-term social harmony and enduring political stability.