CHILE - CRIME, CLASS CONSCIOUSNESS AND THE BOURGEOISIE

• NCJ Number: 43569
• Journal: Crime and Social Justice Volume: 7 Dated: (SPRING-SUMMER 1977) Pages: 14-22
• Author(s): J F PETRAS
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 9 pages
• Corporate Author: Crime and Social Justice Associates
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: PRESENTED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE SOCIETY OR THE STUDY OF SOCIAL PROBLEMS, NEW YORK CITY, AUGUST, 1976

Annotation

EVENTS IN CHILE FROM NOVEMBER 1970 TO SEPTEMBER 1973 ARE REVIEWED IN A CASE STUDY OF POLITICALLY MOTIVATED CRIME AMONG THE UPPER AND MIDDLE CLASSES.

Abstract

THE CASE STUDY EXAMINES HOW THE MAJOR POLITICAL PARTIES OF THE MIDDLE AND UPPER CLASSES IN CHILE AND THEIR SUPPORTERS ENGAGED IN ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES AIMED AT DESTROYING THE ELECTED GOVERNMENT. THE ACTS OF VIOLENCE PERPETRATED BY THESE GROUPS RANGED FROM POLITICAL ASSASSINATION TO BOYCOTTS AND CULMINATED IN THE VIOLENT SEIZURE OF POWER BY THE MILITARY, WHICH WAS PUBLICLY ENDORSED BY ALL MAJOR BOURGEOIS PARTIES AND PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS. THE TYPES OF CRIMINAL ACTIONS UNDERTAKEN IN CHILE, THEIR PERPETRATORS, AND THEIR IMPACT ARE REVIEWED. THESE INCLUDE POLITICAL ASSASSINATIONS, ASSAULTS ON PERSONS AND PROPERTY, FORMATION OF ILLEGAL PARAMILITARY ORGANIZATIONS, LOCKOUTS, SPECULATION AND BLACK MARKET TRANSACTIONS, SABOTAGE OF PRODUCTION, RIOTS, AND MOB RULE. THE ROLE PLAYED BY THE UNITED STATES IN PROMOTING ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES IN CHILE IS NOTED. A THEORY WITH REGARD TO THE GROWTH IN UPPER AND MIDDLE CLASS CRIMINALITY ASSOCIATED WITH TRANSITION FROM CAPITALISM TO SOCIALISM IS DEVELOPED ON THE BASIS OF THE CHILE EXPERIENCE. EVIDENCE OF THE SCOPE AND DEPTH OF BOURGEOIS ABUSE OF THE LAW IS SAID TO SUGGEST THAT LEGAL, PIECEMEAL, PEACEFUL TRANSITION FROM CAPITALISM TO SOCIALISM IS IMPOSSIBLE.