Introduction to Chile

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Introduction to Chile
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Economy

• One of Latin Americas most economically
  developed countries
• During 1990s, poorest 20 percent of population
  have experienced an increase of income (30)
• Outperformed rest of South America in terms of
  Economic Growth

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Economy (contd)

• Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing account for
  8.2 percent of GDP
• Major Crops apples, corn, grapes, plums.
• Industry
• Manufacturing 35 of GDP (1992)
• Manufacturing surpassed copper in 1992
• Mining
• Copper (worlds leading copper producer)

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Importance of Copper
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Political Situation

• Elections were held December 1999
• Lagos vs. Lavin
• Pinochet in London and back again
• Economic downturn of 1999
• Scandal
• Victory by UDI

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Electoral Change in the 90s
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Presidential Races in the 90s
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Economic Growth in the 90s
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Scandal
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Political History

• Chile has had a strong tradition of democracy
  leading up to 1973
• Usual Chaos ensued after independence
• General Manuel Bulnes 1841-1851
• Consolidated the Constitution of 1833 with its
  Separation of Powers

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Political History (contd)

• War of the Pacific (1879-1883)
• Border Between Chile and Bolivia in Dispute
• Agreement reached (taxes could not be raised on
  Chilean companies in the region)
• Bolivia breaks the agreement

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Political History (contd)

• Development of a working class (latter half of
  19th century)
• Began in the nitrate fields in the North
• Labor in Chile was native born
• In comparison with Argentina
• Argentina 25 of workforce from abroad
• Chile less than 3
• From the outset, Chilean workers had access to
  political institutions

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Political History (contd)

• Civil war in 1891
• President Jose Balmacedo tried to impose
  presidential power over the legislature
• Elites supported congress
• Balmacedo lost, giving more power to the
  legislative branch