NCJ Number
62642
Journal
NEW POLITICS Volume: 11, Dated: (WINTER 1974) Pages: 36-50
Date Published
1974
Length
15 pages
Annotation
THIS EXAMINATION OF THE 1973 CHILEAN COUP AND SUBSEQUENT ACTIONS OF THE RULING JUNTA CONCLUDES THAT THE JUNTA'S GOALS ARE TO DISCIPLINE THE LABOR FORCE THROUGH TERRORISM AND TO RESTORE CAPITALISM.
Abstract
TERROR AND REPRESSION IN THE MONTHS FOLLOWING THE COUP HAD A SOCIAL GOAL: TO CRUSH BY VIOLENCE THE GEOGRAPHIC AND SOCIAL SECTORS IDENTIFIED WITH THE ALLENDE REGIME. TO THIS END, TRADE UNION RIGHTS WERE SUPPRESSED, WORKING HOURS INCREASED, WAGES FROZEN, AND PRICES UNCONTROLLED. THE RESULT WAS 800 PERCENT INFLATION AND GREAT HARDSHIP TO THE WORKING CLASS IN THE DICTATORSHIP'S FIRST 4 MONTHS. MASS EXECUTIONS BEFORE ASSEMBLED WORKERS, FIRINGS OF DISSIDENT WORKERS, ARRESTS, TORTURE, AND MILITARY ACTION AGAINST STRIKERS WERE ALSO USED AS TOOLS OF CONTROL. AN ESTIMATED 15,000 PEOPLE WERE EXECUTED, 30,000 HELD AS POLITICAL PRISONERS, 25,000 EXPELLED FROM UNIVERSITIES, AND 200,000 LEFT JOBLESS. RESISTANCE TO THIS REPRESSION IS INCREASING, HOWEVER, IN THE FORM OF ABSENTEEISM AND STRIKES. IN ADDITION, THE FUTURE ATTITUDES OF THE BOURGEOISIE, WHO HAVE BEEN HURT FINANCIALLY BY THE CURRENT POLICIES AND FOR WHOM THE BENEFIT OR RENEWED INFUSION OF FOREIGN CAPITAL IS QUESTIONABLE, ARE UNCERTAIN. CONTINUED REPRESSION OF THE LABOR FORCE WILL BE IMPOSSIBLE, AND FORCES OUTSIDE CHILE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT WORKING CLASS RESISTANCE. CURRENT POLICIES ARE SUCCEEDING ONLY BECAUSE THEY ARE BACKED BY ARMED FORCE, BUT THE WILL OF THE WORKERS TO RESIST SHOULD NOT BE UNDERESTIMATED. FOOTNOTES WHICH INCLUDE REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (CFW)