Opinion | Progressive maximalism failed in Chile
A Constitutional project considered by different expert and non-expert voices as an unprecedented progressive advance, praised internationally for including a series of urgent social rights and in dialogue with the challenges and demands of the contemporary world, failed to convince the majority of the Chilean people.
The surveys were clear regarding the rise of rejection, so, strictly speaking, it should not be surprising that the projections were fulfilled. However, those of us who voted “I approve” with joy and hope – one that was content with a narrow victory – wonder how it happened. Not what happened, but how. How is it possible that he won the rejection so forcefully? In asking, as in asking, there is no deception for those who speculate out loud. Could it be that the majority of the country does not agree with the proposed social rights? Or that perhaps, due to the compulsory vote, did the citizenry vote uninformed of the civilizational advance that this proposal represented? That, despite the fact that this was a top seller, the text was not really understood? That the majority of the country rejected it because they feared that we would become communists, a new Cuba or Venezuela? Because some did not want to share their privileges? Why in Chile are indigenous peoples not recognized as nations?
In the picture, of Paul Sahuenza For Archyde.com, a supporter of the rejection celebrates the results of the consultation.