Chile

Demonstrations, occupations or roadblocks? Exploring the determinants of protest tactics in Chile

By Rodrigo M. Medel and Nicolás M. Somma
February 7, 2017

One of the issues that have stirred up considerable interest in the literature about social movements in recent years is the one regarding the tactics of collective protest. When a group of people decides to publicly express its dissatisfaction with the authorities, why does it sometimes use peaceful and conventional tactics, such as an organized demonstration in a plaza; and other times violent and rowdy ways, for example destroying public or private property? Why are tactics with a high symbolic content, such as a theater performance ridiculing a hated politician, sometimes used?

This year, Chile's Oscar Nomination looks at world famous poet, Pablo Neruda

By Emily Hwang
January 11, 2017

The story of world renown, Nobel-winning poet, Pablo Neruda, will be highlighted in the 2016 film, Neruda, directed by Chilean filmmaker Pablo Larraín. The film is Chile’s 2016 Oscar submission for the Foreign-Language category. Larraín describes the film as an “anti-bio”, the opposite of what many call a biopic1. Rather than describe one’s life in order like in a biopic, an anti-bio creates its own story within the main character’s life.

Ranchera Music: A Mexican National Symbol

By Katherine Andrews
January 9, 2017

Ranchera, a style of music that grew out of the Mexican revolution, highlights the beauty and simplicity of Mexican life for all citizens. Known for its drama, passion and patriotism, this style of music elicits images of Mexican ranch life. The most famous ranchera singer is inarguably Vicente Fernandez, who has become a national icon in Mexico in the same manner as Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley in the U.S.(1).

#NiUnaMenos: Un Movimiento Contra la Violencia Machista

By Daniel Snyder
October 27, 2016

El 10 de octubre, Lucía Pérez, una argentina de 16 años fue brutalmente violada y asesinada en la ciudad de Mar del Plata. Esto ha llevado a una protesta masiva convocada en Argentina en contra de los femicidios (o asesinatos de mujeres por razones de género) en particular  y contra la violencia de género en general. De hecho, también hubo protestas en ciudades de toda América Latina y también en Europa y Estados Unidos por este y otros casos recientes (BBC Mundo, 2016). ¿Cuál es la historia de violencia de género en América Latina, y qué es el movimiento #NiUnaMenos?

Chilean Documentary Receives International Praise

By Madeline Townsend
October 20, 2016

Chilean filmmakers Catalina Vergara and Cristián Soto have recently received praise from British filmmaker and critic Robert Greene for their film entitled La última estación (The Last Station). Shot over a period of five years, this documentary follows the lives of five elderlies who reside together in a nursing home.

UN Court Rules on Peru-Chile Maritime Border

By Madeline Townsend
October 20, 2016

In 2008, Peru approached the International Court of Justice to rule on an unset maritime border with Chile. 38,000 square kilometers of ocean were under question, among this area some of the best fishing territories in the Pacific Ocean. Past agreements established that the border ran parallel to the equator. Peru, however, wanted it to be extended southwest to run perpendicular to the land border.

Voluntary Voting in Chile: A Better Democracy?

By Jorge Saldana
October 20, 2016

On January 31st, 2012, Chile passed a law changing the vote from compulsory to voluntary, while at the same time expanding the register, allowing every citizen over the age of 18 to vote automatically, without the need to be registered. This contrasted with the previous mechanism, a registration system that was voluntary, but once citizens were inside they were forced to vote in every election, albeit under a weak threat of a pecuniary sanction.

Bachelet's Inauguration: Promise for Change Under Permanent Climate of Status Quo

By Jorge Saldana
October 20, 2016

As tradition mandates, every 11th day of the month of March following the election of a new president, Chile celebrates the inauguration of its new Chief Executive. In 2014, Michelle Bachelet becomes the first president to be inaugurated for a second time since the return of democracy in 1989. She  takes the reigns back from Sebastián Piñera, who governed the country for the last four years.

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