Introduction
Latin American countries are susceptible to corruption and protests, which both lead to political unrest across the region. Chile is not an exception, facing massive protests after October 2019, which uncovered the problems of inequality and police brutality (The Guardian). Thus, amid issues concerning the constitution, Chile’s political unrest stems mainly from corruption and inequality.
Causes of Chile’s Political Unstability
When analyzing Chile’s socioeconomic conditions, it becomes evident that several issues can be blamed for political unrest. Among the most significant issues are economic inequality and corruption. On the one hand, Chile is one of the countries with the highest levels of income inequality, with a small percentage of the population owning a significant portion of the country’s wealth (Department of Economic and Social Affairs 72). On the other hand, the nation struggles with corruption, which has its roots in the political system (Department of Economic and Social Affairs 72). In the end, both problems cause immense public frustration, leading to unrest.
Examples of Protests
The result of the public’s frustration is the protest that took place four years ago, as was mentioned above. Shortly after, in November 2019, it was decided to adopt a new constitution, one that could replace the one in effect during the Pinochet dictatorship (The Guardian). The following date, October 2022, marked the referendum, in which the majority voted in favor of the new constitution (The Guardian).
In May and November of 2021, the constitutional convention took place, and the new president, Gabriel Boric, was elected (The Guardian). Nevertheless, in October 2022, the new constitution was rejected in a referendum, leading to new council elections in 2023 (The Guardian). This series of events demonstrates the public’s active participation in government affairs.
Conclusion
Hence, given the constitutional issues, corruption, and inequality, these are the leading causes of Chile’s political instability. It is clear from examining Chile’s socioeconomic situation that several problems contribute to political upheaval. The two most significant problems are corruption and economic inequality. Both issues ultimately result in widespread public annoyance and unrest. However, at this moment, active engagement in state affairs is evident.
Works Cited
Department of Economic and Social Affairs. World Public Sector Report 2019. United Nations, 2019.
The Guardian. “Chile Finalises New Draft Constitution to Replace Pinochet-era Document.” The Guardian, 2022.