Challenges to democratic Governance in Chile

After the transition to democracy in 1990, for several decades, Chile was an example of political stability and economic development in Latin America. The social uprising of October 2019 unveiled some long-standing problems of inequality and political representation that undermined the otherwise successful democratic experience. In 2025, after a 4-year long failed constitution writing process, the political system failed to properly address the popular grievances. With rising levels of crime, lackluster economic growth, growing immigration and persistent inequality, Chile faces complex social and political challenges with increasing levels of political polarization and extreme parties and outsiders that attract political support among discontent voters. No longer a beacon of economic development and democratic consolidation, Chile seems stuck in a bad place. This panel will address the main factors that explain the challenges Chile faces and some of the possible ways forward for this Latin American country.