Chile in Meltdown

JupiterKid

Chile, a country long thought to be one of the relative success stories of South America - is staring into the abyss of complete chaos following massive riots and public disorder following escalating protests over the extremes of inequality and the coat of living.

Of course, the last time Chile saw mass political upheaval, it did not end well. In 1973, aided by the USA looking to secure its own interests, the fascist dictator Augusto Pinochet rose to power in a bloody coup which resulted in tens of thousands of left wing figures tortured, imprisoned and murdered, many of them going permanently "missing."

Does anyone here have any further insights into what is unfolding in Chile? Any views on the matter?

seenitall

Was in Santiago many moons ago. A gorgeous city centre, where modern architecture and old world buildings such as churches mix pleasantly together. Wedged between the beauty of the Andes and that of the ocean.

BUT. In the same day I saw miles and miles of dire poverty and shanty town living (with the corrugated tin roofs and all) on the way from the airport, and was then welcomed into some upmarket posh club where the lawns are manicured and the waiting staff hovers around like anxious hens around their progeny. In other words, 'murica.

I'm forever happy that I was born and live in Europe.

riffmongous

Chile used to be held up in certain places as an example of the success of capitalism, especially compared to the Cuban and Venezuelan failures of socialism.. but now we see another proof that trickle down doesn't work and that wealth inequality has to be actively dealt with.

Eric Cartman

riffmongous wrote: »

Chile used to be held up in certain places as an example of the success of capitalism, especially compared to the Cuban and Venezuelan failures of socialism.. but now we see another proof that trickle down doesn't work and that wealth inequality has to be actively dealt with.

Why does nothing work in south america, this isnt a failure of capitalism, seems to work pretty well in most places, but south america as a region seems doomed to failure no matter what system is in place.

Arguably pinochets chile or panama are probably the best siccess stories but in a region constantly rife with political unrest, violence and the haunting spectre of communism occasionally coming in like a tidal wave to destroy everything.

NIMAN

Eric Cartman wrote: »

Why does nothing work in south america, this isnt a failure of capitalism, seems to work pretty well in most places, but south america as a region seems doomed to failure no matter what system is in place.

Arguably pinochets chile or panama are probably the best siccess stories but in a region constantly rife with political unrest, violence and the haunting spectre of communism occasionally coming in like a tidal wave to destroy everything.

Some would say the people take less sh1t than those in Europe?

If they see inequality, then take to the streets. Maybe Europeans are more inclined to say, "ah well...."?

EmmetSpiceland

NIMAN wrote: »

Some would say the people take less sh1t than those in Europe?

I thought it was down to US interference? Political, and civil, unrest in these countries is usually a good thing for the States.

Doubly so if the country has a socialist government. Artificial manipulation of the oil prices seems to do the trick with the most bothersome ones.

Eric Cartman

NIMAN wrote: »

Some would say the people take less sh1t than those in Europe?

If they see inequality, then take to the streets. Maybe Europeans are more inclined to say, "ah well...."?

I think france rules that one out, not enough butter on theor bread and its out on the streets.

AlekSmart

Eric Cartman wrote: »

Why does nothing work in south america, this isnt a failure of capitalism, seems to work pretty well in most places, but south america as a region seems doomed to failure no matter what system is in place.

Arguably pinochets chile or panama are probably the best success stories but in a region constantly rife with political unrest, violence and the haunting spectre of communism occasionally coming in like a tidal wave to destroy everything.

Ah here now....I would'nt say nothing works,the oul Chileans do a mean bit of Military Music and associated marching...just go to 1:10 in this clip to get a sense of how impressed the reps of the Saxe Coburg's in the audience were when the band altered step....;)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbJVlaynAJw

enjoy...

suicide_circus

it all comes back to Spanish/Portuguese colonisation and the types of societies, bureaucracies, culture and systems that were installed.

Look at North America in comparison to South and Latin America. It boils down to English organisation (essentially protestant and parliamentary) vs Iberian (catholic and totalitarian). The chaos and cruelty of the conquistadors and those who followed puts what the English did in the north in the shade.

Duffy the Vampire Slayer

There are huge protests in Colombia right now but they are largely being ignored by global media.

Duffy the Vampire Slayer

suicide_circus wrote: »

it all comes back to Spanish/Portuguese colonisation and the types of societies, bureaucracies, culture and systems that were installed.

Look at North America in comparison to South and Latin America. It boils down to English organisation (essentially protestant and parliamentary) vs Iberian (catholic and totalitarian). The chaos and cruelty of the conquistadors and those who followed puts what the English did in the north in the shade.

Yes, that explains why British colonies like Jamaica are so prosperous and safe.

the culture of deference

It is the same as in most other countries.



A tiny % own and control everything. The internet has made people aware and they have had enough. I expect the same to happen everywhere.



Irelands 10 wealtiest have combined assets of 30 billion.


Thats the same as 30,000 millionaires

Muahahaha

seenitall wrote: »

Was in Santiago many moons ago. A gorgeous city centre, where modern architecture and old world buildings such as churches mix pleasantly together. Wedged between the beauty of the Andes and that of the ocean.

BUT. In the same day I saw miles and miles of dire poverty and shanty town living (with the corrugated tin roofs and all) on the way from the airport, and was then welcomed into some upmarket posh club where the lawns are manicured and the waiting staff hovers around like anxious hens around their progeny. In other words, 'murica.

I'm forever happy that I was born and live in Europe.

Was there myself many years back. Huge disparity between the wealthy and poor, you'd see top of the range American SUVs flashing by people living in huts cooking food at the side of the road. We went snowboarding for a couple of days outside Santiago and the prices in the resort were higher than anything you'd expect to pay in Europe. The clientele were dripping with money and very much there to be seen, the bars and restaurants were busier than the actual ski slopes.

Interestingly that road you took from the airport is called Avenida Liberator Bernardo o'Higgins named after the Irish descended general who took on the Spanish and won Chile its independence. His dad was from Sligo and he had intended to retire to Ireland but never made it back before his death. iirc the longest street in every Chilean city and town is named after him, the one in Santiago is miles long and has house/property numbers over 10,000. Theres a bust of him in Merrion Square and statues of him all over Chile.

seenitall

Thanks Muahaha, I have a feeling I knew that about O'Higgins but have forgotten in the interim!

suicide_circus

Duffy the Vampire Slayer wrote: »

Yes, that explains why British colonies like Jamaica are so prosperous and safe.

an exception does not disprove the rule

Duffy the Vampire Slayer

suicide_circus wrote: »

an exception does not disprove the rule

Generally speaking, the British colonies that are wealthy today are the ones where the native population was almost entirely wiped out. South Africa has many of the same problems as South American nations.