Mutualism in Chile, 1848-1990: social security, sociopolitical movement, and spaces of sociability of the working class

Abstract

In the current context of searching for alternatives to the pension system in Chile, this study focuses on the historical trajectory of mutualism through a thorough review of original sources. The research proposes an interpretation centered on cultural, social, and economic factors. Contrary to what has been asserted by historiography, it is argued that mutualism did not enter its terminal crisis after the enactment of the Social Insurance Law in 1924. While the Great Depression of 1929 affected these organizations, it needs to be contextualized as part of a generalized crisis scenario since the early 20th century. This allowed mutualist organizations to recover and expand again in the following decades until the 1970s. However, crises continued to occur and deepened due to various factors. Among them, the attributions granted by the State to the Confederación Mutualista de Chile in 1963 stand out, as well as the impact of repressive measures and cultural transformations associated with the economic model implemented during the civic-military dictatorship. The research is based on unpublished documentation from the Confederación Mutualista de Chile, significantly enriching our understanding of mutualism in the country and shedding light on its historical evolution and current challenges.