On our last episode, we gave an introduction to the history of Chile and a preview of the issues and themes we will be exploring throughout this series. Episode 2 will focus on the political life and evolution of Salvador Allende, perhaps the single most important person to this story.

Allende’s legacy in Chilean politics and society is difficult to overstate, and he didn’t come out of nowhere; in fact, Allende had spent decades in Chilean politics prior to his victory in the 1970 presidential election. He learned from other left-wing movements that saw varying levels of success in Chile and developed his own theory of una vía chilena al socialismo — a Chilean road to socialism. Studying Allende, demystifying his legacy, and acknowledging his commitment to democracy is critical to understanding Chile and to digesting the key lessons this story has for any leftist political project.

Show Notes

Salvador Allende: Revolutionary Democrat by Victor Figueroa Clark

Marian Schlotterbeck interview in Jacobin Magazine

Credits

Theme music by our youngest brother Tate.

Cover art by Arthur Santoro.

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