Springer Chile in Transition: Prospects and Challenges for Latin America’s Forerunner of Development

The economic, political and social situation in Chile shows a country in transition. Some observers anticipate a broad “reboot” of the nation. While Chile is still seen by many as an example of progress in South America and of developmental potential in the global South, it faces a complex political constellation, particularly in the aftermath of the re-election of Michelle Bachelet. Many wonder how social and institutional innovations can be incepted without interrupting the country’s remarkable success over the past decades. This book provides an interdisciplinary analysis of Chile’s situation and perspectives. In particular, it addresses the questions: What is Chile’s real socio-political situation behind the curtains, irrespective of simplifications? What are the nation’s main opportunities and problems? What future strategies will be concretely applicable to improve social balance and mitigate ideological divisions? The result is a provocative examination of a nation in search of identity and its role on the global stage. Roland Benedikter, Dr. Dr. Dr., is Research Scholar at the Orfalea Center for Global and International Studies, University of California, Santa Barbara, Senior Research Scholar of the Council on Hemispheric Affairs Washington D.C., Trustee of the Toynbee Prize Foundation Boston and Full Member of the Club of Rome. Katja Siepmann, MA, is Senior Research Fellow of the Council on Hemispheric Affairs Washington D.C., Member of the German Council on Foreign Relations, and Lecturer at the Faculty of Interdisciplinary Cultural Sciences of the European University Frankfurt/Oder. The volume features a Foreword by Ned Strong, Executive Director of the David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies, Harvard University, and a Preface by Larry Birns, Director of the Council on Hemispheric Affairs, Washington D.C., and Former Senior Public Affairs Officer of the United Nations’ Economic Commission for Latin America (Santiago, Chile). Review Critical Acclaim for Chile in Transition “…This book is one of the most encompassing and interdisciplinary country studies on Chile in many years, and this will be the standard text on the nation for the years to come.”Sergio Arzeni, Director of the OECD Center for Entrepreneurship, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises and Local Development “[Chile in Transition] is an interesting and comprehensive research [monograph] that allows an insight into current politics, economics and the overall development of my country… Particularly remarkable are some comments on foreign policy as well as on natural resources and energy. This is a most welcome book.”Mariano Fernández, Ambassador of Chile in Germany, Berlin “In this lucid analysis, Roland Benedikter and Katja Siepmann investigate the Chilean laboratory and find tracks in official statistics and public discourses, but also in advertisements or in the Metro of Santiago. In this way they draw with great precision the lights and shadows of the Chilean model, which has been profoundly called into question for the first time in three decades.”Daniel Matamala, Anchorman, CNN Prime, CNN Chile “…In my view, this is the most solid work about Chile I have seen for years within the liberal perspective. Benedikter’s and Siepmann’s book is especially fortunate in its treatment of the economic and fiscal dimensions, where the question marks about the paradoxes between the macro and the micro spheres are elaborated with solidity…” Prof. Dr. Alberto Mayol, Universidad de Santiago de Chile (USACH) “This text is a brilliant analysis of the current and envisaged context of reforms and innovation in Chile. Given the outstanding ambition and multidimensionality of its transition, Chile will remain a most interesting topic to study throughout the coming years. This book decisively helps to understand the greater picture.”Professor Dr. Andrea Billi, Università La Sapienza, Rome “Benedikter and Siepmann offer a lively