Rev Left Radio [BEST OF] Chilean Coup of 1973: Salvador Allende, Augusto Pinochet, & the CIA
May 20, 2025
Join Professor Alex Aviña from Arizona State University as he unpacks the 1973 Chilean coup. Discussing Salvador Allende's quest for democratic socialism, he explores Augusto Pinochet's violent dictatorship and the CIA's critical role in undermining democracy. Topics range from economic sabotage and media misrepresentation of socialism to the brutal realities faced by the Chilean people. Aviña emphasizes the lasting impacts of these historical events and their relevance to contemporary struggles against imperialism and oppression.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Chile's Socialism via Democracy
- The Chilean revolution under Allende was a socialist revolution achieved through democratic, constitutional means.
- This challenges the notion that socialist revolutions must be violent or authoritarian.
Chile's Oligarchic Reality
- Chile was seen as a stable constitutional republic but had deep oligarchic economic inequality.
- Vast land ownership concentrated in few hands created social unrest beneath the democratic facade.
US-Owned Copper Industry
- Chile's copper industry was mostly owned by US-based companies, a critical economic lever.
- This foreign control of resources set the stage for conflict after Allende's nationalization efforts.
