State Continuismo and Pinochetismo

The Keys to the Chilean Transition

Bibliographic Data

ID3199775
AuthorsJonathan R Barton (0000-0001-6250-8684, University of East Anglia, corresponding author)
Year2002
Volume21
Issue3
Pages358-374
Publication date2002-07-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueBulletin of Latin American Research (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0261-3050 • E-ISSN: 1470-9856
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/1470-9856.00048
OpenAlexW2065290563
LanguageEN
Citations received18
References cited16

There have been two parallel processes in Chilean political economy during the 1990s. A high profile has been accorded to the transition from authoritarianism to democracy and its related debates. A relatively low profile has been accorded to the continuity in the state model of capitalism that was implemented under authoritarianism. This paper argues that transition can be best understood in terms of the role of Augusto Pinochet and his strategies for maintaining power - Pinochetismo. As such, his forced retirement from political life marks the end of transition. The second point is perhaps of more importance however. The democratic political regime has intensified the model of capitalist accumulation of the 1970s and 1980s and socio-economic polarisation has been perpetuated. While the focus on the nature of transition during the 1990s was necessary, there has been a failure to question the social relations established by capitalism. With the end of transition in July 2001, the greatest challenge for Chilean democracy now lies in creating a state based on social relations that serves the needs of the majority rather than the desires of the few

Authoritarianism · Capitalism · Democracy · Economic system · Economics · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Power (physics · Social democracy · Sociology · State (computer science · Transition (genetics · Cultural and Social Studies in Latin America · Law · Political and Social Dynamics in Chile and Latin America · Politics and Society in Latin America

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