CHILE: A Social Explosion

Abstract: 

James Lamb on the upheaval in Chile and its political underpinnings focused on Gabriel Boric, who visited CLAS in February 2020.

“I am part of the problem,” said Chilean Congressional Deputy Gabriel Boric, deliberating on the seemingly vast disconnect between popular sentiment, social movements, and politicians in contemporary Chile. “In Chile, since the return of democracy, professional politicians have been progressively moving away from citizens, building an abyss.” This problem consumes Frente Amplio (Broad Front) — the left-wing coalition Boric helped found and of which his party, Convergencia Social (Social Convergence), is a member. “When you are in the institutions, you start to move away from common citizens,” Boric explained.

Author: 
James Gerardo Lamb
Publication date: 
August 19, 2020
Publication type: 
Berkeley Review of Latin American Studies Article