Sebastian Edwards tells the story of how the neoliberal economic model--installed in Chile during the Pinochet dictatorship and deepened during three decades of left-of-center governments--came to an end in 2021, when Gabriel Boric, a young former student activist, was elected president.
Sebastian Edwards tries to steer a middle path. He acknowledges errors driven by ideological Friedman-like inflexibility. But he wants to rescue the reputation of the more pragmatic Chicago Boys ... He takes exception to those on the left who see everyone at Chicago as inflexible or politically far to the right ... Edwards rejects some of the right-wing version of the story, too, such as its tendency to downplay Friedman’s involvement with Pinochet ... Edwards’s effort to recuperate the “Chile Project” for the country’s democratic era is a generous one—probably too generous.
Throughout, Edwards maintains a detailed yet accessible narrative. A closely argued study of the merits and demerits of free market economics in action.
Meticulous ... Marked by Edwards’s firm grasp of regional politics and lucid explanations of economic theory, this is a valuable primer on a complex subject.
