Chile

This chapter analyzes the past and future of Chilean democracy by addressing four major themes. First, it explores how Chile was able to develop and maintain long-standing civilian rule through most of its history by building on an early shared identity and a unique set of economic and political structures in the mid-twentieth century. Second, it asks, considering this record of democratic stability and longevity, what were the roots of the 1973 breakdown? The chapter points to the erosion of these economic and political structures as the main culprits. Third, given the explosion of violent and destructive social protests in October of 2019, the chapter explores the roots of the crisis of democracy that Chile is facing today. Finally, as a direct result of these protests the government was forced to cede to protesters’ demands for a process to write a new constitution. Thus, the final section analyzes the promises and pitfalls as the country charts the path toward a new institutional order.