Chile in Transition by Benedikter, Roland; Siepmann, Katja;

Long description:

The economic, political and social situation in Chile shows a country in transition. Some observers anticipate a broad “reboot” of the nation. While Chile is still seen by many as an example of progress in South America and of developmental potential in the global South, it faces a complex political constellation, particularly in the aftermath of the re-election of Michelle Bachelet. Many wonder how social and institutional innovations can be incepted without interrupting the country’s remarkable success over the past decades.

This book provides an interdisciplinary analysis of Chile’s situation and perspectives. In particular, it addresses the questions:

• What is Chile’s real socio-political situation behind the curtains, irrespective of simplifications?
• What are the nation’s main opportunities and problems?
• What future strategies will be concretely applicable to improve social balance and mitigate ideological divisions?

The result is aprovocative examination of a nation in search of identity and its role on the global stage.

Roland Benedikter, Dr. Dr. Dr., is Research Scholar at the Orfalea Center for Global and International Studies, University of California, Santa Barbara, Senior Research Scholar of the Council on Hemispheric Affairs Washington D.C., Trustee of the Toynbee Prize Foundation Boston and Full Member of the Club of Rome.

Katja Siepmann, MA, is Senior Research Fellow of the Counc

The volume features a Foreword by Ned Strong, Executive Director of the David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies, Harvard University, and a Preface by Larry Birns, Director of the Council on Hemispheric Affairs, Washington D.C., and Former Senior Public Affairs Officer of the United Nations’ Economic Commission for Latin America (Santiago, Chile).

Table of Contents:

Introduction.- The economic dimension. A nation grown by means of neoliberal policies.- The cultural dimension. A nation in search of identity between the competing narratives of the “center-right” and the “center-left”.- The political dimension. Chile after the presidential and general elections of 2013: What future?- The social dimension: Inequality and redistributive policies. Ideas for reform.- The fiscal dimension: Greater fairness at the price of a slowing economy? The ideological debate behind Bachelet’s envisaged tax reform.- The educational dimension. Michelle Bachelet II’s “master plan” for Chile’s future: The reform of education.- Conclusion and Outlook: Chile, quo vadis? Chile’s additional five future issues to address: A chance for progress.