Progress and its discontents

A popular student rebellion shows that, as Chileans become better off, they want the government to guarantee a fairer society. Politicians are struggling to respond

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Readers' comments



it´s clear that the focus is wrong , the real situation in Chile is that the social movement is from low to high income , with expectations totally changed.Today in Chile anyone can be a technician or specialized worker with income of development countries (mining,industrial,technological areas)the universities crisis is only a small segment in the economical basis.It´s clear that the country is in the potential growth rate and the rest is politicians arguments that try to minimize the economical jump of the real side of the country


Are the figurs for gov't spending for Brazil and mexico correct? I thought thay were 40% and 27%?

Global Observer

This is the way I look at it. All Chileans "inherited Chile" and all its natural resources. It belongs to them. What does that means? It means that due to global demand, they could sell those resources if they want and use the profits to better themselves. That is free education, health, housing perhaps, investment in enterprises and I don't mean that government has to do it. The Chilean people ought to get some of the profits directly from these resources and create themselves the enterprises needed to support this development without going to the usury of a bank. What happened is that a few Chileans, the one that always get ahead of the pack by stepping on the rights of their other countrymen grabbed those resources and they decided to spend that money every which way they could but to help their own people with life long economic survival and thriving skills. There are a group of chileans not only controlling everything but also reaping the rewards of the loot themselves.

That is basically what has been happening with the land and the resources. Why the chilean people can not get access to seed capital to start their own enterprises out of their own natural resources without having to pay usury rates? Why are they paid so low that they have to borrow from a bank to finish surviving at the end of the month? The never ending stay poor cycle at the benefit of the usury banks?

Chileans pay an 18 or 19% value added tax on top of income taxes. Imagine that? Let alone high vehicle registration and usage fees, tolls and on, and on, and on.

I think people get disgusted with politics because of the "binary mind syndrome" I have been talking about, that is an excellent "tool of control". It says simply, do it this way because the other way is always marxism. That is how they keep these people fighting each other and never able to create a cohesive front that will leave stale politics behind and bring real progress to the country. They are reminded by either political "pole" about the Allende years of mayhem and the dictatorship. Both forces at each other wasting valuable time and aborting unity as a country in addition to the economic disparity among both opposite political poles. When they tried to create this united front called "concertacion", they pretty much stole the resources by negligence and corruption, efficient administration of the country went to hell. Most lost faith and gravitated to the other pole which is the one looting the Treasury and natural resources today.

Chileans are trapped in this binary mind syndrome. If they could snap out of it and leave the past, be all inclusive and unite as a country in order to progress even further, we would be discussing other issues like what is the latest that Chile invented and patented, what great world companies they are leading and on and on.

That is not the case because people got killed and their deaths have not been investigated seriously and the guilty been brought to justice. That is the poison that is killing them. The Judicial system, corrupted I might say, has not done their job from day one. They hid during the dictatorship and stayed dormant for almost 20 years. Then, they did a half ass job to incarcerate a few guilty ones but there are many that have gone unpunished and that occupy government positions even today and there is even a Mayor of the Providencia Municipality that insists in his dictatorship ways even ignoring a court order to reinstate some students back to classes in his municipality. An aberration that continues on.

The people do not forget and rightfully so. That is why I think that will take many generations to purge the cancer of division. Right now, the younger generation doesn't want to revisit the past but they are forced by the constant reminder that the powers that be drill on their brains on a daily basis.

A catch 22. Four decades lost. More buildings, more junk from China, more drugs, more alcohol, more cigarrettes, but the brain is lacking clarity, compassion, generosity and unity as a country. A country as such can not succeed.

What made the United States, the greatest, was World War II, it united everybody and everybody worked to make it the greatest country of the world. Chile could try but since it does not have the unifying force, can't do it. Now, the current situation of the USA is another story but the big climb to superiority was done when united. That is the element as I said is missing in Chile's success attempt!

Continuation of the previous comment and keep this in mind...

My hunch is that pretty soon, when things become totally unmanageable, the crooked leadership will invent or get Chile in an international conflict in order to achieve patriotic unity at the expense of poor Chileans that will have to go to war against their neighboors.

The Malvinas issue and Chile's support or lack thereof, Peru's La Haya case, Bolivia's sea access and river waters with Chile. Sadly, that is what history has shown us time and time again when countries just can not get their shit together, then the never ending cycle of suffering continues, just because of the difference between poor and filthy rich with an eroding or never achieved middle class that truly is the one that support a successful capitalist system.

By the way, Argentina, also inept President and the Malvinas or Falkland Islands dispute with Britain, the Argentinian economy in disarray, are other situations to be looked at closely. Now they want to nationalize their petroleum and go at it with Spain and getting Chile in the middle because honestly, Chile sucks Spain's broken dick time and time again. Which to me is ridiculous. The Spaniards are broke, they are an embarrassment to the European Union for wasting their euros, high unemployment, etc and they have brought more misery to Chile than any other country.

Global Observer in reply to Bogf3vxNwC

Yup, sure thing. What would have Europe done without a Marshall plan? The world ends in 2012? Not likely. Half of the world will die though by 2050 if countries do not get a hold of prediabetes, obesity and all the related diseases that come with it. Bank on it!


We are foreigners living in Chile and very happy to do so. Compared to Europe and the United States with its political, economic and social problems, Chileans still have much to be thankful for. You have a beautiful country and I am thankful for the Rule of Law that still prevails here compared to my country in Africa where crime rules! I feel safe in Chile and can sleep with my windows open!
The Government in Chile however, should feel proud that students here still WANT to study and be educated. Have a heart President Piñera and help the students to fulfill their dreams without making Universities a profitable institution. Business is one thing, but education is the most important necessity for everyone in this country!! I am proud to say that on the day we arrived in Chile I could not speak one word of Spanish but today I can converse in basic Spanish without having any lessons! I will be so happy if I could also converse with most Chileans in English....but alas! If Chile wants to be part of the global village they must have confidence and at least try to speak a few words in English with foreigners visiting or living here. Buena suerte estudiantes!!

tryworkingforaliving in reply to reinet

reinet, Please open your eyes. You have been sold a lie. Every totalitarian state begins with government control of education. You stated that you love Chile...but do you not see that these people pushing for government control of education will destroy Chile? Sheep do not deserve to be you?

For any non-Chilean reader that may have come across the above comment, let me try to explain what's going on here.

A large number of Chileans continue to live with the trauma of their experience during the 60's, 70's and beyond. Economic hardships, socialism, communism, coup, military junta, dictatorship, cni, dina, torture, left-wing terrorism, kissinger, etc.. not to mention being the targets and victims of propaganda campaigns that many of them still don't even realize they were subjected to.

This trauma and the success of the propaganda campaigns against them result in these types of superficial, almost automated responses where they scream out "communist!" or "facist!" and talk about how any change will result in a loss of their personal wealth or freedom. It's unfortunately very difficult to discuss anything with them as they interpret changes and reforms as conspiracies by the other side and tend to prefer the safety of their locked-in and antiquated thoughts and (mis)conceptions.

From the context of their natural trauma, it's actually quite understandable but also obviously complicates things. Chile has also failed to subject many of the actors from both the left and right that were involved in crimes and abuses during the period to any form of real justice or sanctions. Many of the characters remain politically active at all levels of the system and their continuing presence on the scene also serves as a constant reminder of the past.

Why "government" should be in charge of education when today's education and the most efficient delivery method of it, is on-line? That is a prime opportunity for private enterprises to thrive by providing it. About the funding, I believe a voucher from the resources of all chileans, read as the natural resources that now they are giving away, would be a good vehicle of financing it. Government does not do things well when creativity comes into the equation.

Bye the way, lately a free education movement is in place and growing by leaps and bounds. Using videos for tutorial courses in the most varied topics. The beauty of it is that uses an existing platform called youtube and anyone interested can contribute their knowledge to it and by that methodology expand the world's knowledge base as a whole.

Additionally, teachers can be part of it and monitor their student progress on line and in real time in order to identify who is lacking behind and to provide additional help. It is called, google it. That is the platform of education for the 21st century.

Chile is not using these tools because it is slow in learning English like reinet says, but those online classes will be translated to different languages. They already have 130 million viewers around the world. Check it out!

Chile's money making educational system feels threatened by tools like this and their new Education Minister doesn't seem to be very sharp or up to date in this subject. He ought to be installing broadband and giving laptops for free to everyone with money from natural resources at once.

That is the best investment Chile could make in addition of reversing the trend of malnutrition and obesity that sucks up the Health Costs of the nation.

Felipe Varela

Never in the field of South American political topics so many were so much deceived by so few.

Shame on "The Economist" talking about "student revolution" so lightly. What "revolution" I ask? What students? Camila Vallejo isn´t studying. Other thing is the vandal marxist parade we suffered last year in Chile. Shame on insulting our nation´s President.

I would expect a more rigourous analysis on Chile. The author has buyed all left wing slogans so easy, so acritically, so distant from the reality of our country.

Javiera C in reply to Felipe Varela

Excellent point. Everyone seems to miss the fact that for someone who "values education so much", Camilita has not even finished her degree. And I doubt it's because she lacks the money. She attended a private school in Santiago and now receives a paycheck every month from the Communist Party.

Danielfm2 in reply to Felipe Varela

Dejan de opinar no hagan el ridiculo....por favor!.
This is the same brainless shit that I have to read everyday in the Chilean newspapers. It's always the same argument! Lack not only of true but in knowledge of the Chilean political changes and lack of justice in almost 30 years without the dictator!. Please dear international lector....the guys who in Chile know english almost every time are in the right wing, because for a better education you have to pay a lot....and if you are against them you are automatically a "Marxist". Is a shame, and this comment from Felipe varela is just another example. Felipe there is nothing that you can do to clean the image of Pinera's poor government, there is nothing that you can do to clean Pinochet's memories from all the world. If you wanna answer me please just don't do it with the communist,marxist and left wing serious.

Felipe Varela in reply to Danielfm2

Why do you thing I would be interested in "cleaning Mr Piñera Goverment". Cleaning it in what way? Furthermore, I´m not in the numbre of the 29% that approve his administration. What to say about cleaning Mr Pinochet memories. It would bu such an sesnseless effort as cleaning Mr Lenin´s memories.

Your comment is an example of chilean bipolar way of reading political reality. Black - White, Left - Right. Problem is not in making an apologize of progresist or conservative ideas. Problem is how to make possible cultural and economic development in a fair distributive way. Mr Piñera´s attempt, the same as Mrs Bachelet or Mr Lagos one, is an honest attempt struggled by Marxism-branded propaganda.

Our countrie´s democratic-elected President deserves respect from such a prestigious publication as “The Economist” no matter who he or she is. The article in comment is unnecesary rude to our President and , therefore, to our country.

Shamely this lack of respect arises from a poor misregarding analysis on our internal political reality. I insist, what revolution is the author talking about? What student is he referring to? Camila Vallejo? Perhaps he refers to the 5% of the crowds who occupied our streets last year that were genuine students ? No doubt the 95% of the agitators were vandals enjoying a not ruled big party. Don´t y you perceive some Marxism tipical bad smell here?

Bogf3vxNwC in reply to Felipe Varela

Right, this is always like that: the left touch the hearts of the media deeper for its romanticism. I still think abusrd how can someone call himself a Communist these days. This is a good proof that Chile has lost their memory. Fossils!
And going to Cuba for approval! Sorry, people, if you love the speech go to Cuba. They need people there believing in the system...

Danielfm2 in reply to Felipe Varela

Is incredible the way that you describe yourself attacking me!. You are so funny!

You said: "The author has buyed all left wing slogans so easy" (that was very funny) now who is the ‘bipolar” who see the things right-left good-bad?? ME?? Come on!!

The first time that I read your opinion I thought that you were living in the 70s, but after you wrote about “lenin”…man! You are living in other excuse me but what are you talking about??

About your question, if I think there is some “Marxism seed” in the movement of Chile…I would said: NO, the only thing that I see is desperate people who will believe in anyone who promise “a change”.


I really don't think the Chilean people should get so offended at having their president called inept. It's a fair criticism based on the actions his administration has taken in the face of the many challenges they've had. A lack of skilled political advisors, an obsession with trying to micromanage everything, very poor choices in several ministerial appointments, a determination to keep an Interior Minister / Vice President who apparently can't avoid creating divisions among the population, etc.. It's a fair criticism and if that keeps you from thinking about the deeper issues, well then I just have doubts as to how much you can contribute to any serious discussion.

The good news from all this is that part of the Chilean society is waking up and finally realizing that they're being played for fools by the politicians and entities (corporations) that run the show. They're starting to realize that they do have a choice and that choice is pressure. The government will continue to cede the streets (for the most part) because the streets are the only avenue available for the general population to voice their discontent. The Piñera administration isn't stupid either - they know if they try to muzzle the protests things may get *really dangerous for the powers that be, which presents an excellent opportunity to continue to heap on the pressure and try to get some serious reforms through. Will it happen? Or will the efforts just fizzle out while the administration rides out the storm?

I think there are enough Chileans intelligent enough to realize that there is an opportunity to make real progress for the country as a whole - some of them are commenting on here thankfully. But it needs to be a grassroots effort, not something driven by the same corrupt political parties that always seem to hijack the movements, otherwise it all ends up in some dirty negotiation and everything stays the same.

I hope the more intelligent Chileans can work together to finally "get rid of the clowns" and make some true reforms– starting with getting rid of the binominal system, investing in public k-12 education, supporting innovation and entrepreneurship, etc.

And Global Observer- I think it's what you said - it's almost a natural result of constantly living in a system that really functions against you, where you're constantly treated like an ass and just have to deal with it. The end result can be seen in some of these comments.

frulloap in reply to IndependentWanderer

as far as other countries do not undersant our culture make harder to discuss. Chile between the region is doing pretty well in education. of course we are quiet below at any european level but every year is improving. How you can solve problmes if the people who did receive loans from the goverment couple of years ago did not pay back? Chilean culture is the one who will criticims many things but they will try to avoid payments making the sistem colapse under any arguments that are rule by popularity. we have change our trasnportantion system and try to guess how many Chilean are not paying??? probable this in Europe could not happend but it does not mean that they are right and we are wrong only that our cultures are differeent and need to be undersant before stablishing any policy. Popular policiys are very popular in southamerica with a higher adherence from the population. but not necesary bringing welfare richness. the economiest discuss the Piñera¨s support is only 29% but this is relative to the others. the other ( left) party do not have more support. That mean that the Chilean people are getting away from politics and not supporting any view as they are fighting for power and not for the people. But it never mean that Piñera is the one who is doing a wrong goverment. and because he is reach make more resistence for the mayority. please check how many President have quite big equity.... Education need to be change but first need to be sustainable.

IndependentWanderer in reply to frulloap

Listen, the point here is that the image Chile tries to portray as a country on the brink of being a "developed" nation is a lie, and this lie is unfortunately used to defend many of the same corrupt, inefficient, and retarded policies and systems which are ironically also holding it back from real progress as a nation. It's obvious why many Chileans are moving away from politics - they're simply not being represented. I'm sorry, but the politicians from both sides are clowns. I'm not sure how corruption can really be measured in a country like Chile where the same politicians have business interests or have family sitting on the board of the same corporations that run the country. Another article by TE mentions the "cartels" in Chile. There's a whole series of articles that can be written about that- about these small groups that control most of the industries and commerce. If you think Chile has a free-market economy with actual competition, you need to do some research. If you dig deeper, it's quite ridiculous and the Chilean people are rightly upset. As far as the politics, I'm talking about both sides. I actually think it would be quite bad for the country for Bachelet to come back into power, as that would essentially give her and her cronies a green light to continue another cycle of nothingness as they all line their pockets and have tea together with the "opposition" at the polo club. It's a joke and I truly hope the Chileans really, really get angry, demand some changes and throw the bums out.

And why bring up transportation? I mean let's look at it from someone who makes minimum wage - what is it, 182,000 pesos a month? Riding the metro to work costs 640 pesos each way, so that's 1,280 pesos each day just for work - almost 26,000 pesos a month. Factor in taking transportation during the weekend or maybe other trips to pay bills or buy groceries and we're probably over 30,000 a month. That's over 15% of their salary. So factor in the fact that they know they're getting screwed, they know the companies that own the transporation system are making millions off of them, they're pissed that the rates keep going up, they have to ride like cattle in extremely overcrowded metro carriages, they know that most of the sons of bitches who defend the system don't even ride the metro or even have the remote ability to empathize with their situation, and they probably have numerous other debts hanging over their heads from trying to make ends meet or from trying to send their kids to mediocre universities where they'll most likely end up with a low-paying job and a debt they won't even be able to pay off for another 20 years. Wouldn't you be a little upset? If that were you, would you gladly cough up 15% of your salary in a situation like that if it meant having to survive with about 150,000 pesos a month? Please. I'm surprised the percentage of people not paying isn't higher. Oh and then they have this ridiculous "Panel of Experts" that by law can decide the rate hikes while the Transporation Minister says he's powerless to do anything about the increases. And on the panel you have another idiot named Grange who says that the solution to the overcrowded situation is to make it really expensive to ride the metro so that (poorer) people will ride the overcrowded buses instead. That's the expert, folks. It's thanks to the relatively docile, non-confrontational nature of the Chilean people that you haven't seen real violence yet.


Since moving to a free market economy Chile has 6% GDP growth, full employment, and rising wages. Will Chile's middle class allow a few mindless clueless cry baby students to do a little protest dance....push the country toward the massive government control model...and destroy their prosperity?

The free market economy that created the chilean "economic succes" only benefited 5% of the your eyes, government control and regulations (to a certain degree) are essential to limit and smooth the imbalances created by a mere free market economy. For instance, the oligopolies in Chile should be limited with anti-trust laws, but this is just one example of necessary government regulation.

The image Chile sells in terms of development is a lie, just good marketing.

Take a look at this article, this is how chileans live:

The link is left wing crap written by those who benefit from government control of education (professors, teachers unions, communist). Do you not get?? Do you not understand why it's impossible to set up a totalitarian state until AFTER the government is in control of education?? Sheep. You deserve to be controlled. You've been given freedom and you are going to throw it away.

Left wing crap as opposed to right wing crap you bring into the mix? Dude wake up, i wipe my ass with your right vs left crap. That is exactly what is stopping your country to become something. Until then, you are just spinning wheels and taking advantage of the less educated. What if you weren't educated and could never get money for education and/or taking advantage of nepotism, cronyism and collusion? Get a clue! You maybe poor too and getting sucked into the hard left buying their bullshit paradise as well.


As a Brazilian who has been to Chile and other Latin american countries I must say that I find it amusing to hear my neighbors complain of high inequality and the high cost of living. Brazil, to cite the example I know best, is by far in worse shape as Chile. It seems that Chile has forgotten that it is not a rich country and started judging itself as one. Don't get me wrong, this is probably a good thing for the country. It is just funny to hear my "rich" neighbors tell me how much they suffer. I invite those willing to experience real hardship/inequality to pay a visit to Rio.

RodrigoGO in reply to calneto

I think your experience is similar to most of us who have travelled throughout Latin America. No doubt this country has issues and it is great people should demand more, it has come a long way and it still needs to move up more.


I really believe " The economiest" is making a very poor research and is not serious at all in his coments that are aproved by editors and writers. Any country deserves respect and so does his or her president. It is not a matter of political side is a matter of understanding a culture in a country with a view that should comunicate the real situation in an objective perspective not giving the opinion of a writer as a fact and even worse making prejudices of a sistem that they do not know. I feel very disappointed from the economiest an I am not any more a Reader of your magazine. we can discuss , have different opinion and but always with respect.

Global Observer in reply to frulloap

What do you think that we don't know about Chile?

Why do you accept a leader that has a shady past even by misappropriating bank funds in the city of Talca years ago and walking away from it by buying justice on his favor?

Don't you have some minimum values of fairness, honesty and justice?

Why do you think that your flawed constitution and binominal political system, nepotism and cronyism are acceptable practices to govern people?

You need to do your homework man, otherwise you have zero credibility and complete lack of critical thinking. You have been railroaded like sheep to the slaughter house!

frulloap in reply to Global Observer

you are totally talking from one side an with anger as any political in southamerica has a past that could be discussed, why do you think you have the right to says things against someone... everyone in Chile is doing the best job. from 1990 till 2012 the country is growing, betters stability, helath an education. still there is place to keep improving but I am happy with my country , my sistem. Look other southamerciab countries and theirs problems. Everyone ones to attack other parties. let talk about what is need and not about past or perjuices about a president.


Mr Piñera does not have Emotional intelligence, nor appropiate Communications advisor... Because of that reason, Main of Chilean people does not like him.

Bogf3vxNwC in reply to guest-ilnajmw

I think people still select leader based on love and personal fondness. I want a leader who does the job, not matter if borign fat or ugly. We had Lula in Brasil, who was a "very nice guy", but lazy, ignorant and well, lucky surfing the inertia behind Cardozo extraordinary basis...
Smart people should give way to the competent but vanity is way to strong...

Global Observer

I have a question for all the Chilean Leaders whether Political, Religious, social, etc.

What part of the words nepotism, cronyism, flawed constitution, binominal system do you not understand in the context of a corrupt society?

Why is it that it does not soak in your brain that it is wrong to govern that way and for decades?

Why don't you understand that looting the Treasury and giving away the natural resources is thievery against the resources of your own countrymen?

Why don't you understand that polluting the country is a crime against humanity, your countrymen, their children and your children's children for generations to come?

Why don't you understand that failure to spend the Treasury wisely and the ones that waste it, take it home or due to incompetency ought to be brought to justice?

Why do you create laws that hurt the people and favor just the wealthy?

How could you go to bed at night thinking that you are doing a good job for your countrymen?

Why do you compare yourselves with other, when others are not relevant when poverty is and everyday thing especially in the regions?

Why don't you have a Federal system of government? Why does it take you so long to develop the regions but at the same time you concentrate everything in one city?

It reminds insider colonialism within your own country. It reminds me of "elitism".

Why do you make your countrymen suffer so much?

Why do you treat other countrymen that live all over the world like second class citizens an prevent them for voting and if you entertain the idea, you set up all these silly conditions?

Who are you bunch of arrogant "mofos" arrogating the decision making power over 17 million dummies taking it and taking it without revolting and giving you for once and for all what you really deserve?

Chew on it mofos, from your inept in chief down the line!

Maximiliano Herrera

you have made me laugh. Ms Vallejo with a bright political future.
She is an amazing ignorant and hipocrit brain-washed radical marxist.
She spoke fantastic things about the paradisiac , fair and spotless democracy in Cuba. Well, if she will have any political future, just except the poverty rate in Chile to rise back from 15% to 60% , just expect thousands of people executed by the revolutionary fire squads and a country with millions of starving and repressed people.

Chile has many thing which work very well, it just need to be reformed and adjusted. What the right parties seem not to understand or don't want to understand is that education is a good investiment for the future. Moreover, explain me how a poor family can pay the education of their children if they have no resources. Many children will end up working and the cycle of poverty will never end.

I agree that many things in Chile need to be improved and be fairer.
But people like Ms Vallejo want to DESTROY the society from scratches and the worst thing , they want to build the worst possible society. She is the worst possible solution, believe me.

Fortunately, amongst the protesters, many don't follow her totalitarian ideas of installing a harsh one party dictatorship.

And she can deny it later, but what a pity all what she said in Cuba is there, it's taped, I am sorry it's easy to know what Ms Vallejo really thinks and what she really is. A pariah.


The chilean's problem is not te people poor is the rich people....they are the real problem.

john4law in reply to Marcemomo

If people becoming rich is "the big problem", destruction of wealth and mass impoverishment a la Cuba is the "big solution". Socialism cannot conceal its evil basic beliefs with sheep like humane buzzwords like "social justice" and "fairness" for very long. Individuals never get to decide what is "fair" for them!

Global Observer in reply to john4law

Why do you always fall back on Cuba or other countries failures? Is that the only option at hand?

I think not. I think that we can do way better by bringing prosperity to everyone that wants it.

Why is the 10 for me and 1 for you okay?

Why is it 10 for some political party's elite and 1 for the rest okay?

That is the problem. Both options are wrong.

What if we define that 3 to put a number, is a good starting point for everyone that works and enough to raise, educate, cloth, feed and provide health to a family and the ones that want more can through their effort climb up to 10 or whatever number if they want to?

See, that is the problem. On person or a group of persons is grabbing all the wealth at the expense of the ignorance of the rest backed up by military and police power. That is what is wrong.

We can do better! People's dignity is being stomped by arrogance, elitism and wealth wrongfully earned or appropiated!

john4law in reply to Global Observer

If you believe that socialism produces maximum happiness and fulfillment for the common person, your beliefs are at war with
demonstrable history, economic experience and theories based on scientific observation and fact, and fundamental conceptions of human rights. Otherwise, you are entitled to your opinions but not facts which do not support the negation of the Tenth Commandment as advancing any social good.

Global Observer in reply to john4law

Huh? Socialism? Since when eradicating poverty is synonym of socialism?

Another "binary mind" at work. Dude, snap out of black and white, left or right, hot or cold, capitalism or socialism.

The world and its people come in different colors and needs but unfortunately the majority do not get a fair shot from the get go.

Why don't you attempt to think, reflect and come up with something better than benefit the most, not just the few.

That is called meritocracy having everyone starting at the same point, not just the few spoon fed ones.

Get a clue, please!

Juan Sepulveda in reply to Marcemomo

Maybe we can all vote Vallejo for president, she asks advice to progresist Fidel on how to eliminate the rich, and make sure everybody gets poor. Then, we'll not have to care about education, health, polítical system, prívate companies and human rights...because we will not have any of them. At that time lazy and resented (socialists) people gets happy, as with no effort (as always) they become as "rich" as the best human being

john4law in reply to Global Observer

Yes get a clue: by all means. When and where have hard line socialist policies done anything but INCREASE poverty and in fact create famines and other catastrophes. Look at Cuba, Venezuela, Peronist Argentina, North Korea , Maoist China, Stalinist and Leninist Russia and the list of totalitarian inhumanity goes on and on, particularly in sub-Sahara Africa! When are the "progressives" going to get real and stop the war on the poor??


Good article! whether someone is inept or not should not be seen as an offensive tag by the Chilean government, is simply a matter of expressing a view which one can legitimately share or not. I am surprise about the approach of being offended by the article when a much more constructive argument could have been put forward to deal with topics. I think it actually shows that part of the criticism of the government is very real, by failing to deal with the content of the article.

Poorly short sighted from a government that should be looking to portray itself as dealing with issues


the fact is that Pinera is not only inept but he also lacks a good education, manners, his money was made through dubious ways. Pinera chasing Obama in one of the last international meetings is pathetic. In general, except extreme rightists or old people that stopped thinking long ago, everybody in Chile believes the guy is a waste.

The country, on the other hand, is beautiful, the wine is good, some good sea food, incredible social inequality, racially mixed, culturally not here not there, and with an elite devoid of basic principles (they don´t steal or cheat, they feel entitled to spoil the country), wise business guys but completely stupid in religious things (case Karadima to name one). Great potential though.

john4law in reply to guest-ilnjoaj

Get rid of elitist mercantilism and replace it with entrepreneurial free market capitalism. Start with labor market liberalization and the termination of job protection and minimum wage laws. These create guild like barriers to upward social mobility by the still too large underclass which is too dependent on black market activities.

Small Arms Survey Geneva

How terrible what these debates look like....
The debate should not be about the fact that Piñera is apt or inapt in politics. The debate must be about ho successful the Chilean model has been in bringing rpogress to its peaople (and not just the lucky few).

There have clearly been important social advances, but the main problem - which the arrticle approaches but no one here debates - is that the educational system in Chile does not provide for social mobility. On the contrary, the system reprodcues inequalities and this can not be a a sustainable social policy.

Meantime, let's not forget Hydraisen and its problems (Judges from teh supreme court ruling against 'medidas cautelares' while they possess millions of USD in shares; the approval of coal extraction from a natural reserve; the terrible behaviour of Special Forces in Aysén during social protests (several people lost one eye, dozens of wounded - while this is a traditional area voting for the right wing); the impact of salmon hatcheries on the environment in these pristine waters of the south of Chile, etc, etc. Sadly, the regions suffer the 'cost of progress', while the elite in Santiago keeps the profits.

Chile is not only unequal in the distribution of income among people, but among regions. Things are not looking bright for the future neither.

What is needed above all is a profound advancement in democratic institutions, as the representativeness is lost to lobbyists of private firms, and the people are not represented fopr their votes anymore - with little or no resources to work against this trend. This is one of the central reasons why people in Chile are turning to the streets.


Mr Piñera, I voted for you and I couldn't be more disappointed.

The students have a point, but you let public disorders go well beyond acceptable levels.

As a result criminality rates spiked. You let your ministers sit down in "negotiating tables" with the leaders of any movement that take streets, burn cars and throws rocks. Students, Aysen, Punta they say, "put your pants on" and be unpopular for once.

You are destroying our institutions like no other politician in 40 years. And all because you are too worried about the polls. The country is growing and the economy couldn't be healthier. You are the WORST statesman we've had, as the economist put it mildly... inept.

You betrayed the right wing. Smaller government, lower taxes, efficiency, public safety... remember? You have been doing exactly the contrary and that's why your rating will keep going down to zero. You let down the people that voted for you by always trying to do what the people that voted against you would want. You are then left with nothing because in the end you are nothing.

You are not who I thought you were when I voted for you. In my opinion you lied to us.

Thanks guys for these two great articles on Chile.

PS: I've always voted for right or center right wing politicians. Now I'll take PS Concertacion anytime.


OH, please. What example of a good government do you suggest our we should imitate? YOURS??? HAHAHAHAHA!!!

The main and most important difference between Chile and the UK right now? That bad things are slowly getting better down here, but your whole British economy and society is starting to crumble!!

Write this kind of sh*t about Chile as soon as your unemployment rate reaches 6%, the way it does in Chile.

This comment made me chuckle for several reasons:

1. The individual asks what type of good government Chile should "imitate." Anyone that has been in Chile for any period of time knows that this is indicative of the core of many aspects of the Chilean system- imitation. Chile has an amazing tendency to try to imitate things from the outside (many times labeling it, "innovation"), but they never seem to get it quite right. Sometimes it's funny, other times it's just not. Perhaps a better approach would be to actually thoughtfully consider the problems facing the Chilean system and how they could be addressed.

2. Why is this individual comparing Chile to the UK? Another typical trait - "Hey we're not as bad as xyz." Or "well we're better than Bolivia!" This type of response is also evident when corruption issues arise. "Well the other side did the same thing!" It's sad, but very typical in Chile.

3. This individual laughs at the UK economy, clearly failing to grasp that the Chilean economy is essentially propped up thanks to the exploitation of its natural resources. If someone is going to laugh at challenges facing more advanced economies, I think they should hang a piece of copper around their neck and pray to it at night. Without copper, Chile would be in shambles.

Chile continues to underinvest in its educational system at its own peril. Innovation, Science, Technology - just about ignored.

I second that Independent wanderer. Copy, imitation is idiosyncratic in Chile.

Where I come from, if you copy something, you have absolutely no credibility. You may improve an existing thing but to plain copy is not well seen, therefore the patent process is a good tool to keep some copycats at bay.

In Chile, piracy of everything goes rampant like it is okay.

I'll tell you, sometimes these people I think need a lobotomy. The dictatorship really did a number in their minds.

Leaders, lead, they come up with new things that are so impressive, and as a result they earn respect. They don;t have to brag about it, they just do it. They need to compare to nobody! They just lead the way.

These people don't know how to lead. Maybe that is the problem.

Oh boy, have they got a beating on this thread. I wish some from Chile would come here and justify their constitution and the binominal system as an acceptable democratic way of governing.

Allan466 in reply to IndependentWanderer

Dear IndependentWanderer:

I am Chilean, and I voted for the actual government, but unfortunately I agree in a 100% with the diagnosis of the Economist. Also the person who wrote the comment above (guest-ilnjeno) is the average uneducated Chilean, that believes that we are smarter, and more developed than European countries...



England has lost all its industry, the country depends on finance. Studying in England is very expensive for the poor family also (Cameron increase the university fees from £3000 to £9000), the economic model of England is not so diferent than the economic model of Chile. The big difference is that England had colony, belongs in the richest continent in the world, has the city. But the riot in London during the last year shows that there exist a big social problem in England also.

Kind of funny that this guy brags about a 6% unemployment. Errrrr, full time employment? Employment with benefits? Employment with profit sharing? Employment with employer contributions to additional retirement funds?

It is all half ass employment, part time, no benefits, nothing!

You can skew statistics anyway you want to look good but please, the crook in Chief has a 20 something percent approval rate with the electorate!

Wow, can you get any lower than that? I would think that a government with that approval rate is not legitimate and the crook in chief ought to resign at once!



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