NEOLIBERALISM AND THE WASHINGTON CONSENSUS: THE CASE OF CHILE
12. STRATEGIES FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT The Liberal Era (1880s-1920s) Import-Substitution Industrialization (1930s-1970s) The Socialist Alternative (1950s-1980s) Neoliberalism (1980s-present) The “new Left” ALBA
WASHINGTON CONSENSUS Reducing the role of the state Liberalizing trade Less regulation Privatization Liberalizing trade Reduce tariffs, quotas = less protection Expand exports, seek partners Promoting the private sector Foreign and local production Stimulate market competition
CHILE: OVERVIEW Natural Resource: Minerals Export-Import Growth Nitrates Copper Sparse migration Export-Import Growth Pacific Coast connections Copper as key Political democracy (of sorts) Democracy and Military Rule Party politics (1940s-70s) Socialism via democracy? Salvador Allende (1970-73) The Pinochet regime (1973-1989) Neoliberal Politics and Policy Democracy (1990-present) Economic uncertainty + reliance on exports (again)
CHILE: BASIC STATS Population 16.9 million GNP/capita 8,350 USD Poverty rate 13.7 %
DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTS Center-Left alliance: Concertación Patricio Aylwin (1990-94) Eduardo Frei (1994-2000) Ricardo Lagos (2000-06) Michelle Bachelet (2006-10) Right: Sebastián Piñera (2010- )
POLICIES IN CHILE Trade liberalization Privatization Unilateral + FTAs Diversification of destinations Privatization Stability (low inflation) Foreign investment Poverty and inequality
EXPORTS Products: copper, fruits and nuts, fish and seafood, wood (and wine) Partners (2009): China 16.5 % USA 11.3 Japan 9.1 South Korea 6.5 Brazil 4.6 Mexico 4.1
INEQUALITY Mexico .461 Argentina .513 Chile .549 Brazil .570 USA .408
Thus is born a “poster child”…