Chile: The Importance of Representation

The Chilean uprising of 2019, known as the Estaiñazo Social or Social Explosion, sent the political system into crisis. Chilean President Gabriel Borich, a member of Congress at the time, negotiated a deal on behalf of the movement to convene a constituent assembly to draft a new constitution to replace the old one put in place by Pinochet. While some in the streets viewed Borich's action as a sellout, his stepping into the representational void was essential. In contrast, the Hong Kong movement lacked such representation, leading to a protracted struggle that Beijing could simply wait out. The key lesson here is that protests are poorly equipped to make revolutions or bring about long-term transformative change. It is important to have organizations capable of careful analysis, strategic decision-making, and the ability to adapt tactics quickly. Representation, despite its imperfections, plays a crucial role in navigating these complex dynamics.