Local Politics and Depolitisation in Chile

Abstract— This study focuses on the consequences at the local level of decentralisation and state disengagement policies in Chile. We proceed in two stages. First, we analyse whether the nature of urban collective goods and services has changed from political to economic. Next, we study the effect of these policies on community/ authority relations, and more broadly, on local politics. A case study of the city of Conception serves to explore our questions. We conclude that the local community has adapted to the economic nature of collective goods and has developed the necessary organisation, technical and leadership skills. Power politics however have not disappeared but are now in higher institutional levels. Politicians do not seem to have followed the trend and thus have still to open to democratic participation and legitimate representation as expressed by the citizens' aggregated interests.