Over the last few years, Chile has seen an unprecedented level of public protest and mobilization against neoliberalism, eventually winning a commitment to replace the country’s military-dictatorship era Constitution. Thousands of local democratic councils emerged across the country, articulating new radical social, economic and political rights to be enshrined in a new Constitution.

Despite the transformative potential of the new draft Constitution, it failed to pass a national plebiscite. To understand why, we talk to historian and journalist Dr Camila Vergara, who worked with Chileans in drafting the new Constitution. In a wide-ranging conversation, we also explore the contours of struggle of people’s movements within and outside the political process, and how they deal with setbacks and defeats.

Follow Camila's coverage of Chile here:

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Sunday Dispatch is recorded on Gadigal land. We pay our respects to their elders past and present. Sovereignty was never ceded, this always was, and always will be Aboriginal land.

Graphic Design: Karina Aslikyan

Intro Theme: Sophie Gordon

Intro Music: Talk Talk – Ascension Day