República de Chile

Andy Moss

Known for its elongated shape and breathtaking geographic beauty, the Republic of Chile rests along the southwestern coast of South America. Serving as a success story for democracy, Chile leads the way for other South American countries to embrace the idea of capitalism. Since its conversion from an unsuccessful dictatorship in 1980, Chile’s economy has been steadily increasing, its people becoming more educated and the country itself becoming a major player in global trade. Chile’s history has not always been so hopeful. The land that is now Chile was first inhabited about 10,000 years ago when Native Americans migrated into South America. Little is known about these people, except that they were disturbed in the 1500s by an influx of Spanish conquistadors. The first permanent European settlement, Santiago, was founded in 1541 and serves today as the country’s capital. Drawn by the fertile land in Chile’s central valley, Spain steadily took over the land that once belonged to the Native Americans. Spanish settlers did not find this task to be easy; natives continued to setback Spain’s advance for nearly 200 years. Chile’s future changed forever when Napoleon’s brother, Joseph, unjustly took the Spanish throne. After throwing Joseph out of office, a group of military officers assumed control and declared Chile an autonomous republic within the Spanish monarchy. After having a taste of independence, however, Chile soon demanded total freedom from Spanish rule, thus causing a prolonged conflict between Chile and its mother country. The fight lasted until 1817, when Chile’s most patriotic army defeated Spanish royalists, guaranteeing Chile’s continued independence from Spain. The new country of Chile began to expand its borders to increase its influence. Blocked by the Pacific Ocean on one side and the Andes Mountains on the other, Chile

was forced to expand to the north and the south. From the 1600s to the 1970s, Chile’s history is filled with economic and political instability, with fiscally prosperous periods lasting no more than a few years. Chile’s government was constantly being overthrown, and corruption spread throughout the country’s political structure. In 1980, however, a new constitution was approved and a new president elected for an eight year term. Under his leadership, people were eventually given more rights and freedoms, and Chile grew to have a more free-market society. Soon Chile became a continental-leading economic power, guided by an increase in domestic and foreign private investment. Chile remains today under the same constitution created in 1980. However, the country continues to be limited by its constraining geography. Stretching over 2,880 miles north to south, geography is probably Chile’s most distinguishing feature. It is not necessarily its height that is unique, but the fact that it is also so narrow, being 265 miles at its widest point. Stretched inbetween the Pacific Ocean and the Andes Mountains (see above image), Chile is comprised of an array of various environmental zones. In the North is the Atacama dessert. This region is very dry and arid, with almost no plant life. It does, however, provide Chile with abundant resources, especially nitrates and copper. Further south is the Central Valley, which includes Santiago as well is most of the country’s population

and agriculture. Southern Chile is comprised primarily of forests and grazing lands, peppered with strings of volcanoes and lakes. The volcanoes are a result of the collision of two tectonic plates. This collision also causes Chile to experience frequent earthquakes, which can sometimes lead to tidal waves and tsunamis. In fact, the most intense earthquake ever measured (rated 9.5 on the Rhicter Scale) was positioned in Chile’s Central Valley. This earthquake created a large tsunami that devastated South America’s western coast in 1960. Although constantly at risk for tsunamis, Chile has an extremely long coastline that is riveted with inlets, peninsulas and islands. It is Chile’s easy access to the Pacific Ocean that has allowed for quicker communication and trade to spread throughout the country. Chile is comprised of about 16 million people, most of whom live in the country’s Central Valley. In fact, 86 percent of Chileans live in cities and towns, a sign of Chile’s urbanization. The majority of the population is mestizo, having mixed Spanish and Native American blood. The ancestry of the people is largely reflected in Chile’s vibrant culture. Wealthy city dwellers live in luxurious high-rise apartment buildings or spacious houses with fenced-in lawns and gardens. Chile’s growing middle class lives comfortably in apartments and single-family houses (see image). The lower, class comprised mainly of poor mestizos and Chile’s Indians, is forced to live in run-down buildings spread throughout the cities. Due to a

shortage in low class jobs, unemployment is becoming an increasing concern in the larger cities. Chile’s way of life is much similar to the United States than is commonly known. Chileans dress is very similar to American fashion, but the clothing of Chile’s more traditional ethnicities tends to be very brightly colored worn with heavy silver jewelry. Food in Chile is usually comprised of bread, beans and potatoes. As can be expected, fish and shellfish are also a staple part of the people’s diet. Many soups and stews are served containing a mixture of chicken, rice and vegetable. Overall, most Chileans have plenty of foot to eat, but most lack a well-balanced diet. Chile has both an educated and a religious population. More than 90 percent of all Chileans aged 15 and over can read and write. A minimum of eight years of elementary education is required for all citizens. However, most students do attend high school, because they are forced to work for a living. Public schools are provided throughout the country, but private schools are also very common. Most private schools are run by the Catholic Church, which is the dominant religion in Chile with an 80% majority. Catholicism was originally introduced by the Spanish colonists, but it is starting to give way to a rising minority of Protestants. Chile’s political structure is relatively similar to the one set up by the 1980 Constitution. The country itself is considered to be a republic, with the president serving as the head of state. The president is publicly elected to four year terms. He is allowed to appoint 20 ministers, who assist in governing the country. The Chilean legislature has two houses: the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate. The Chamber of Deputies has 120 members, all of which are democratically elected. The Senate, however, has 38 members

who are elected and nine others who are appointed (four by the armed forces, three by the Supreme Court and two by the president). The country is divided into 13 regions, each with their own local government. The regions are further divided into 54 provinces that also have elected and appointed government officials. Despite the success of Chile’s new government, a wave of dissent is beginning to spread among Chile’s political class. These people are beginning to believe that further constitutional reforms are necessary to complete Chile’s transition to democracy. One of the reforms that is currently under consideration is the abolition of non-elected Senators. These institutional senators are a potential avenue of corruption into Chile’s legislature. Also under consideration is the Presidential right to remove the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces. These reforms and others are currently being discussed in Chile’s legislative branch of government. Chile’s new capitalist government served it well during the 1990s. During this decade, Chile’s economy boasted impressive yearly gains. However, the economy slowed in 1999 as a result of the global economic slowdown. Signs of recovery began in 2003, and Chile is expected to have a GDP of around six percent in 2005. Although Chile’s economy is on the rise, unemployment continues to be a problem, hovering around 8%-10% in recent years. Total foreign direct investment rose from $2.5 billion in 2003 to $7.1 billion in 2004. This rapid growth in foreign investment may be part due to free trade agreements with countries such as the United States. While the high rate of foreign investment in Chile is now serving as an economic boost, it also renders Chile’s economy highly dependent on international trade.

Also highly dependent on its natural resources, Chile’s economy currently revolves around the export of minerals. Copper sales are what have driven Chile’s economy forward in the past three decades, and it continues to be the country’s most prized export. However, Chile’s financial sector has grown faster than any other areas of the economy over the past few years. Banking reforms and the introduction of new financial tools have contributed to the growth of this sector. Slowly, Chile is beginning to become dependent from their natural resources as their economy shifts to the service industries. This switch will provide Chile with a more stable and secure future economy. Chile is one of the world’s few countries that has a miserable history, but a promising future. Its recent conversion to democracy has ended a 200 year period of government instability. Now, with elected officials and capitalist markets, Chile has become a continental leader in foreign trade and investment. While its culture remains one of the strongest in South America, Chile’s citizens are accepting of change and are becoming more educated. Chile’s middle class is steadily growing and its broadening economy has a relatively secure future. Perhaps Chile’s good example in affective governing will serve as a template for other South American nations, so they too may enjoy the benefits of democracy.

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