Activism in transition: generations and political subjectivation in the Chilean post-dictatorship student movement. Nicolás Ortiz Ruiz A thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Sociology provided by University of Essex Research Repository View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk CORE brought to you by Department of Sociology University of Essex Date of resubmission (December 2018) 2 Abstract This thesis aims at understanding the process of political subjectivation in the post- dictatorship student movement in Chile. To do so, it compares the life stories of two generation of activists: those involved the 1997 student mobilization and those involved in the 2011 mobilization. Through the use of a narrative perspective, the analysis springs two main axes: memory and class. In the case of the 1997 generation, memory is a complex issue as they struggle to construct a collective identity and political subjectivation that is able to both relate to the past, but also to reflect the new character of their struggle. For the 2011 generation, they build their collective identity through a process of postmemory, allowing them to produce a coherent and proactive political subjectivation. Regarding class, the 1997 student movement memories are shaped by class distinctions, however they do not translate into class grievances. In the case of 2011, class identification fosters a strong political subjectivation from first generation students who feel emboldened by the pervasive character of this framework. 3 Acknowledgements An endeavour this difficult would have been impossible to do without the help of a number of people. Firstly, the interviewees; all of them shared private moments of their lives which are truly the backbone of this research. Considering that a person’s life is nothing more than the accumulation of stories, to share them with a complete stranger for no apparent reason is an amazing act of generosity for which I will be forever grateful. Secondly, I would like to thank both Yasemin and Mike for their guidance and support throughout this entire process, without it this thesis would not been possible. Also, I would like to thank the sociology department at University of Essex, especially Michele Hall who has been incredibly helpful and understanding, especially considering my issues following procedures. Thirdly, Víctor Muñoz, Luis Thielemann, Oscar Aguilera and Francisco Figueroa who agreed on an interview and provided me much needed guidance. Fourthly, my family for their support throughout the process, but especially these extremely difficult past few months. Fifthly, the incredible friends that I made throughout these last five years – to mention all of them would be impossible – the most significant especially: Saul, Fenya, Aleh and finally Jake, who has been kind enough to help me proofread and print this thesis. Also, Juan Pablo Paredes, who has given me a place to work and his cherished friendship. To Rosario for her love and support, and to Nahuel for teaching me that there are certainly tougher and more rewarding endeavours than a PhD. This research was made possible thanks to funding from CONICYT. 4 Index Abstract ..................................................................................................................................... 2 Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................... 3 Index .......................................................................................................................................... 4 Glossary ..................................................................................................................................... 6 Chapter 1: Introduction ............................................................................................................. 8 Exile and Transition ............................................................................................................. 11 Conceptual Framework ....................................................................................................... 21 Research Design .................................................................................................................. 24 Fieldwork ............................................................................................................................. 28 Thesis Outline ...................................................................................................................... 31 Chapter 2: Historical and Political Background ....................................................................... 33 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 33 Chile: From Dictatorship to Democracy .............................................................................. 35 Dictatorship ..................................................................................................................... 35 Transition to Democracy ................................................................................................. 42 Individual Responses to Dictatorship and Transition ...................................................... 47 A Brief History of the Chilean Student Movement ......................................................... 51 1997 Mobilizations .......................................................................................................... 58 2006 Penguin Revolution ................................................................................................ 64 2011 Student Movement ................................................................................................ 68 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................... 78 Chapter 3: Literature Review .................................................................................................. 80 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 80 Research on Student Movements in Chile .......................................................................... 82 Political Subjectivation and Social Movements .................................................................. 88 Memory and Political Subjectivation: An Issue of Generations .......................................... 95 Memory and Social Movements: Collective Identity, Emotions and Narratives .............. 105 Part I: 1997 Generation ......................................................................................................... 112 1997: Constructing Disagreements ................................................................................... 112 Chapter 4: The Conflicting Remembrance of Dictatorship ................................................... 114 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 114 Early Memories: Establishing the Inside and Outside Borders ......................................... 117 5 Conclusion ......................................................................................................................... 144 Chapter 5: Political Activism in Transition ............................................................................ 146 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 146 The Roots of the Mobilization ........................................................................................... 149 Building Disagreements: Memory and the Conflicting Character of Transition ............... 152 The Inheritors’ Collective Identity: Communist Youth .................................................. 158 Hybrid Collective Identity: Political Collectives ............................................................. 165 Conclusion ......................................................................................................................... 173 Part II: 2011 Generation ........................................................................................................ 175 2011: Harvesting the Seeds of Transition ......................................................................... 175 Chapter 6: Postmemory, Trauma and the Political Subjectivation of Red-diaper Activists .. 177 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 177 Interpreting Violence ........................................................................................................ 179 Collective Memory and Repertoires of Contention .......................................................... 200 Conclusion ......................................................................................................................... 209 Chapter 7: Working-class Subjectivities: The Unexpected Guest of Transition .................... 211 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 211 From Strangers in Paradise to Abajismo ........................................................................... 214 Conclusions ....................................................................................................................... 229