Nationalization of copper and the problem of economic dependence

comparative historical review between the socialist perspective and political strategy of the Popular Unity and the Revolutionary Left Movement in Chile (1965-1971)

Abstract

The nationalization of copper carried out during the government of Salvador Allende highlights two crucial problems in the sixties in Chile: on the one hand, economic dependence and, on the other, the debate on political strategies within the Chilean left marked by the dichotomy of reform or revolution. As a hypothesis, a lack of appreciation on the part of the Popular Unity regarding the revolutionary perspective of the Revolutionary Left Movement (MIR) is postulated. This article revolves around the differentiated perspective between the UP and the MIR on the path to socialism in accordance with their political strategy, thus glimpsing how both organizations –expressed in their political programs– were able to approach categories little considered as the colonial heritage.