One view of Costanera Center…

…and another. “Montaje” from Revista 35 mm (http://www.35milimetros.org/bienvenidos-al-nuevo-mordor/).

Historical background to the 2019 Chilean protests, part 8: The two faces of Costanera Center

November 28, 2019 in chile

Costanera Center monumentalizes the best aspects of Chile’s economy, a symbol of the power of capital to produce great works and to raise Chile to the ranks of the developed world. It’s also a macabre vanity project by one of Chile’s most aggressive capitalists, increasingly marked by scandal and death. It’s this dual identity that has led it to become a focal point for demonstrations in the past weeks.

Many people in Chile complain about a general lack of legal and constitutional literacy among the general population. That may or may not be true; however, I will say that Chile is the only country I’ve seen where paper copies of laws are regularly … — Many people in Chile complain about a general lack of legal and constitutional literacy among the general population. That may or may not be true; however, I will say that Chile is the only country I’ve seen where paper copies of laws are regularly found being sold on the street. I picked up my copy of the Código de Aguas (also available for free **here**) at a small news kiosk a block away from my apartment.

Historical background to the 2019 Chilean protests, part 7: the water crisis

November 08, 2019 in chile

Chile’s water crisis is inextricably tied to Chile’s legal framework of water rights—emplaced under undemocratic rule—which is truly unique in the world in the sheer scale of privatization. This system has not been able to cope with increasing stress on Chile’s hydrology, largely to the detriment of communities and smallholders. Recent high-profile incidents pushed water rights to the forefront of the public consciousness, and the resulting demands for reform of water rights dovetail with the principles behind the current social mobilization.

Historical background to the 2019 Chilean protests, part 6: constitutional reform

October 28, 2019 in chile

Chileans do not have the safety that I, as an American, am afforded by my constitution. Instead, the Chilean constitution—crafted under the dictatorship—exists in large part to simply preserve the power of the executive and the political class. Understanding the history of the document helps explain the growing chorus of voices demanding a constituent assembly, which is for many the only process by which the legacy of Chile’s military junta may be put to bed once and for all.

(L) Camilo Catrillanca and (R) Andrés Chadwick. “Mugshot bias” in the media is alive and well in Chile. — (L) Camilo Catrillanca and (R) Andrés Chadwick. **“Mugshot bias”** in the media is alive and well in Chile.

Historical background to the 2019 Chilean protests, part 5: Catrillanca and Chadwick

October 26, 2019 in chile

Why #renunciachadwick has been trending ahead of #renunciapiñera on social networks.

Historical background to the 2019 Chilean protests, part 4: pensions, explained

October 24, 2019 in chile

Chile’s lauded pension system is profoundly unpopular in Chile, with up to 90% of the population demanding reforms to the current arrangement. Here I explain the Chilean pension system of AFPs, and discuss why the pension grievances are at the core of the present movement for change.

Historical background to the 2019 Chilean protests, part 3: the long shadow of the dictatorship

October 23, 2019 in chile

Efforts at “truth and reconciliation” in Chile following the return to democracy failed to heal the open wounds left by the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet. Chile is now paying the price for this neglect.

Historical background to the 2019 Chilean protests, part 2: cost of living

October 22, 2019 in chile

Chileans work longer hours, for less pay, to purchase essential goods and services that are proportionally more expensive than in the “First World.”

Historical background to the 2019 Chilean protests, part 1: corruption and collusion

October 21, 2019 in chile

US and European media aren’t even scratching the surface of the discontent behind the protests in Chile. In part 1 of a series i discuss noteworthy cases of corruption and impunity that have come to light recently.