Public policies and the territorial issue of the Mapuche people

a comparative analysis of actions developed by the administrations of Allende, Pinochet and the new democracy

Abstract

Chilean public policy today is highlighted by the efficient actions for eradication of poverty, illiteracy and a balanced economic development. However, in relation to the Mapuche people in these last three decades, has been different; it strengthen the control of economic power for entry of foreign investment deepening organizational fragmentation and the exodus of the indigenous population to the chilean capital, Santiago. Worsen so the chances of survival of Mapuche families in their land. Based on this reality this work examines from a comparative perspective treatment given by three Governments ideologically different to the problem of the Mapuche people: the Socialist Allende in early 1970s until 1973, followed by the dictatorship of Pinochet and of democratic Governments that have replaced it. Trying to show how these policies have evolved, what their differences and similarities taking backdrop of the situation of domination and expropriation of Mapuche land and the attitudes of people in terms of reorganization and resistance from reality of the contemporary world characterized by the domain of neoliberalism, although in crisis, and the fight for the defense of natural resources.