DEMOCRACY IN CHILE: HISTORY, CHARACTERISTICS AND TRANSITION - HISTORY - 2025

The democracy in Chile has evolved with the passing of time. From the independence era to the present, Chile has had a great variety of different governments with varied political ideologies. However, it has become one of the countries in the world where more civilian presidencies have existed throughout its history.

Chile was the first Latin American country in which a constitutional system of government was established. Therefore, Chile was one of the first countries in which political parties developed according to the ideologies of their members.

Only on six occasions has military power reached the government, which makes it possible to relate civil power to democratic stability in South America.

Origin and history

It is valid to denote that democracy in Chile is a political process that has changed over time and that has roots in the colonial era.

In general, the democracy of this South American country remained in a relatively stable state from the promulgation of the Constitution of 1833 until the middle of the 20th century.

Although that Constitution did not allow the entire population to vote, the Chilean democratic ideology is framed within that document.

Differences of opinion within the ruling elite were allowed. Until 1861 the conservatives dominated the country's system of government without resorting to violence.

The Chilean government system is closely related to the country's economy. Throughout its entire history (even before gaining independence from Spain), Chile has based its economy on export policies; the country's natural resources are precious and highly valued in the international market.

First great collapse of democracy

The first time in Chilean history in which democracy suffered a significant blow was during the presidency of José Manuel Balmaceda in 1891.

The differences between the president and Congress were of such magnitude that the country entered a state of civil war. The conflict lasted eight months and thousands of lives were lost in the process.

One of the key factors for the end of the war was the support of the Chilean navy for Congress. By then, Chile was one of the largest nitrate exporters in America, and the navy blocked export routes from ports. By cutting off the main government revenue, there was little left for Balmaceda to do.

After the restoration of democracy, Congress came to have a much greater influence on the system of government. Although it was not entirely more successful, it served to give much greater importance to democracy and evolve the system into the 20th century.

20th century, Constitution of 1925

The Constitution of 1925 was the one that led Chile to modern democracy and the political system by which it is governed today. This Constitution established universal suffrage and the election of the president through the vote of all the inhabitants of legal age.

Furthermore, this Constitution was the first to divide power between the Church and the State. This process occurred in most countries of the world, at different stages of their history.

Allende's socialism

Low demand in the international market caused a collapse in Chile's economy, prompting voters to turn to a socialist government in search of change.

The Marxist Salvador Allende won the elections in 1970. Upon coming to power, he applied a series of socialist policies, such as the nationalization of North American companies without monetary compensation, the expropriation of several companies and the indiscriminate printing of money.

Allende remained in power only until 1973, when Pinochet carried out a coup and ended Allende's life. From this point, the military dictatorship of Pinochet began.

Pinochet

The Pinochet dictatorship turned Chile into a militarized country where anyone who had communist thoughts was arrested. However, the dictator managed to straighten the course of the country's economy.

His regime lasted until 1989. By then, Chile once again became a democratic country, a state in which it remains to this day.

Augusto Pinochet

Characteristics of Chilean democracy

Chile is governed by a Congress, where there are 38 senators and 120 members belonging to the Chamber of Deputies. Senators remain in office for eight years, while deputies do so for four.

Congressional elections in Chile are governed by a system that favors the two most supported parties. The other political parties form coalitions with those they have the most support. The two most popular coalitions are Alliance and Concentration.

Chile's legal system is independent of Congress. It is made up of a system of appeals courts, military courts, a constitutional court and a Supreme Court of Justice.

Return and transition to democracy

The return to Chilean democracy occurred in 1989, when a plebiscite approved a constitutional amendment that established the end of Augusto Pinochet's dictatorial period.

Once the plebiscite was approved, the first free elections were held in Chile after the coup led by Pinochet in 1973. The elections were won by the candidate of the Christian Democratic Party, Patricio Aylwin.

Pinochet, head of the army and president of the republic, handed over power in a ceremony to Aylwin. This process marked the shift towards democracy that remains intact today.

One of the most important changes that occurred during the new democracy were those made to the Constitution approved by Pinochet in 1980. During the Ricardo Lagos government, the last details of the Constitution that went against democratic ideology were eliminated.

Another important fact was the arrest warrant issued against Augusto Pinochet. The military man was arrested in London in October 1998.

He was detained for two years while he was tried for crimes of homicide, repression of human rights, international crimes, among other charges. Pinochet won the trial, but international opinion against him never ceased to be negative.

References

1. History of Chile, History World Network, (nd). Taken from historyworld.net
2. Democracy in Chile, The Legacy of September 11, 1973 - Summary, (nd). Taken from Sussex-academic.com
3. History of Chile - Historical Setting, Mother Earth Traveler, (nd). Taken from motherearthtraveler.com
4. Chilean Transition to Democracy, Wikipedia in English, 2018. Taken from wikipedia.org
5. The Arrest of Augusto Pinochet, ten years on, Open Security, 2008. Taken from opendemocracy.net
6. Chile, Wikipedia in English, 2018. Taken from wikipedia.org