Democracy in Chile

Paper Summary:

This paper provides a survey of the forms of government in recent Chilean history and how these have developed into a quasi democracy. It shows how Chile has long faced problems in instituting a true democratic system of government. It explains that while the earlier Chilean government was strongly democratic, the military coup under Pinochet has done harm to the image of democracy in Chile.

From the Paper:

"It has been stated that the failures of Democracy in Latin America are due to a lack of democratic tradition. Authoritarian rule is the norm, and democracy is ever an experiment, tried, but often rejected. Yet, every Latin American country is different, and has taken a different approach towards government. Chile has proven that the troubles of Democracy in Latin America are not due to a lack of democratic tradition alone. Chile had a long and stable democracy for most of its history, yet its democracy fell in one quick swoop. Democracy has made a comeback in Chile, but the question is, will it remain? Will the existing democratic traditions as well as a return to democracy make a lasting impact, or will it fall back to Authoritarianism like so many others? To answer this, the fall and return of democracy in Chile bears examination, as well as the current political situation in Chile."

More papers on Democracy in Chile:

• Essay # 48828 : "Memory Suppression in Chile"
• Essay # 17020 : "Chile's National Security Council"
• Essay # 137864 : "Breakdown in Democracy in Latin America"

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