Log 1

Research & Podcast Planning

I began my research by finding the different texts I plan to focus my research on and starting to outline the historical background of Chile between the Allende and Pinochet regimes [Allende: 1970-1973, Pinochet 1974-1990]. Overall, I plan on organizing my research into two categories each with two subcategories.

• • • Historical Background [Log 1 – 4]
      • Allende regime – overview of the social conditions pre-Pinochet era economic reforms, political climate / public opinion, international standing (particularly relationship with the United States)
      • Pinochet – coup and regime transition, major regime goals
    • “The Chilean Miracle” – neoliberalism and economic reforms [Log 4-8]
      • Chicago boys, circulation of neoliberal ideas from the US
      • Social implications – effects on the Chilean economy, and reinforcing class differences [Log 8-12]

As I begin to research, I’m also keeping in mind how I’m going to structure my podcast. I plan to style my podcast after the popular Freakonomics podcasts. Usually these podcasts begin with a central question, problem, or myth that Stephen Dubner (the host) tries to get to the bottom of. As a jumping off point I’m going to start my research by trying to answer these questions; what was the Chilean miracle, how did it transpire, and was it successful? Although subject to change as I continue to research, I tentatively plan on structuring my podcast like this:

• • • What is neoliberalism?
      • Briefly explain central components of neoliberalism
      • Why is neoliberalism important and what are some examples of it in practice?
    • Segway into the Chilean Miracle as one of most tangible representations of neoliberal reform
      • What is the Chilean miracle?
      • Historical background
        • Brief overview of the Allende regime – social and political issues that led to the coup that placed Pinochet in power
        • Pinochet taking power and regime transition – how Pinochet began to transform Chilean society
      • Outlining of the economic reforms & the Chicago boys – how did these ideas become implanted in Chile? What was the US’s involvement? How are these ideas characteristic of neoliberal ideology?
    • Social repercussions
      • Reinforced class divisions, destroyed families, etc.
      • Economic consequences – good and bad?
      • What is Chile like today? How do people think and talk about the dictatorship?
        • Interview with my Chilean freshmen year roommate – what her and her family think about the dictatorship and if they feel as though they have been directly affected by it?
        • Include other accounts from people of different social demographics
      • Opinion – Was the Chilean Miracle successful?
        • Unsure as to what my answer about this will be so far!

Data Collection

I started by skimming The Overthrow of Allende and the Politics of Chile, 1964-1976 by Paul E. Sigmund. This provided me with some interesting background facts about the transition between the Allende and Pinochet regimes. Additionally, it goes into depth as to why it was possible for such a coup to take place. Additionally, Chile: The Pinochet Decade: The Rise and Fall of the Chicago Boys was an extremely helpful text. This short book includes timelines, general statistics, as well as a glossary that outlines the different political parties and unions (and their acronyms) necessary for understanding the historical context. This part of my research project seems like it will be the easiest part because it is just establishing background. I think going forward connecting these historical events to the social effects will become more difficult. Also, I’m not extremely knowledgeable in economics, I’m a little worried that the economic reform information will go over my head. Next week, I plan on continuing to further my understanding of The Chilean historical background in Log 2.

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For your project, I do not think you need to go into every single detail about economic policies. Remember that this is a sociology project and I think you should stick with the broader question of the political and social significance of neoliberalism in Chile. If you think this would help, you can also focus on certain areas in Chile ( e.g. healthcare or education) and discuss the effects of neoliberalism on those spheres. This would help the reader/audience picture these effects in a more concrete way. Keep in mind that if you feel overwhelmed with all the details about economic reforms, then the reader/audience would feel the same way too.

Also, one of your questions is about how people remember the dictatorship today. But I cannot see how this would be related to your focus on neoliberalism. As in Turkey, the dictatorship in Chile certainly created the futile conditions for neoliberalism to arise but I am not sure if the dictatorship should occupy more space in your research than this (but again I have not read the books that you want to read and I do not know much about Chile. So, I might be wrong about this).

One more point, starting your podcast with a focus on the notion of “miracle” sounds great. What does the term “miracle” imply? Why do we call this “miracle”?