To Pinochet and Back

The Authoritarian Culture of Chile

Republic of Chile: Basic Info

-Population 15 Million (July 1999)-GDP $184 Billion (Peru $111B, Argentina $374B, Brazil $1T)-89% Roman Catholic-A Democracy Since 1990-Major Industries: Mining (Copper and Gold), Fishing and Forestry.

Republic of Chile: Leadership

1970-1973 : Salvador Allende1973-1990 : Augusto Pinochet.1990-1993 : Patricio Aylwin1993-1999 : Eduardo Frei2000- : Ricardo Lagos

The Pinochet Primer!-In 1970, left-winger Salvador Allende was elected President.-The CIA was unhappy with Allende, and pursued a number of avenues in removing him from office-Nixon authorized $10M to be put towards destabilising Chile and removing Allende from power.

Salvador Allende cont.-Even before the election, President Nixon had secretly initiated “a major effort to see what could be done to prevent Allende's accession to power.”-With significant US funding and intervention against his government, it didn’t take long for Allende’s government to crumble.

Salvador Allende cont.-In September 1973, the head of the Chilean military, Augusto Pinochet, staged a massive military operation against Allende.-The presidential buildings were hit with airstrikes and the government destroyed!-Allende was killed during the coup.

Pinochet the Dictator-Pinochet billed himself as Chile’s saviour, and many Chileans agreed with him.-As soon as he assumed power, Pinochet set out to kill or harass anyone who opposed his rule.-The US ignored the flagrant human rights abuses suffered by Pinochet’s enemies.

Pinochet and the United States

-The United States largely ignored Pinochet’s wrongdoings, since his path to leadership had been paved with American dollars.-Even when an American Journalist who “knew too much” was killed, the CIA did nothing, even going so far as to “black out” its knowledge of the event.

The CIA on Charles Horman

1980 1999

Pinochet’s Government-During the 1970s and 1980s, Pinochet continued to remove anyone who opposed him.-In 1980, Pinochet wrote a constitution that allowed Chile to return to democracy by 1990.-Once Pinochet was voted out, he assumed the position of “life senator”

Pinochet’s Government-The Chilean people largely looked the other way during such abuses, because they felt that Pinochet had built their economy and nation into a powerful force within South America.-Pinochet allowed American economists to exert considerable control over his economy.

Chile’s “economic miracle”-For nine years, the Chicago economists experimented with Chile.-It was a disaster. National banks crumbled, debt skyrocketed, and the citizens rioted. Over 40% of the nation lived in poverty (twice the pre-Pinochet levels).-Reluctantly, Pinochet booted out the Chicago boys and returned to Keynesian economic interventions.

The facts on the “miracle”-1973 per-capita GDP: $3600-1993 per-capita GDP: $3170(5th worst 20-year performance in Latin America)

-1972: 27% without adequate housing-1988: 40%

-by 1989, Chile had the worst income inequality on the continent.

Post-Pinochet Chile-In 1990, Pinochet stepped down as President, and was replaced by a democratic government led by Eduardo Frei.-Since then, Chile has struggled to rebuilt its economy and political system.-Chile recently elected moderate socialist Ricardo Lagos.

Social Repercussions-Many Chileans still see Pinochet as a hero, and are convinced that he brought prosperity to Chile.-Opinions on Pinochet’s authoritarian government sharply divide the Chilean people.-Some spit as his name, while others call him “abuelo” (grandfather) affectionately.

Social Repercussions“Some other lingering effects of his leadership are the stereotypes about "left and right wing" types of people. University students who study things like Business Administration or Engineering are usually thought to be right wing, where as those who study subjects like Political Science, History, and Psychology are usually thought of as being more liberal, left wing, and even communist. I experienced this when trying to get a job down there with a degree in Political Science. Also people from middle to upper class are generally more right wing and Pinochet favourable while lower and working classes are generally against Pinochet and more left wing. Again, these are stereotypes and generalizations. Like anything, there are exceptions.”

Social Repercussions-Modern Chile still retains a formidable police presence, described by one Canadian student as “police with submachine guns on every street corner”.-There exists significant anti-American sentiment in Chile even today as a result of their actions during the 1970s and 1980s.-Demonstrations and riots are commonplace, as citizens seek to take an active role in government. -Modern-day politicians are seen to be honest and hardworking, and many are indifferent as to the fate of their former dictator.

Social Repercussions

Social Repercussions Chile Britain

Social Repercussions

Social Repercussions

Social Repercussions

Summary-Chile suffered greatly under Pinochet’s rule-A period of BA did little good to Chile, improving some areas and hurting others-While many Chileans see their time under BA as having been fruitful, outside analysis generally disagrees-If the western world is to learn anything from Chile, it should be that BA is not necessarily an effective method of developing a nation.