There are four factors of the current neoliberal model that generate instability and violence in the country and, at the same time, limit economic progress: discrimination against women; environmental deterioration; economic and political centralism; and indecent work. Boric’s proposal seeks to attack them radically and has therefore made them the programmatic axes that run through his Government Plan.
Feminism is proposed as the first transversal axis, which attempts to respond to the historical demands of Chilean women. Demands that had a transcendent moment with the demonstrations of 25 October 2019 and that acquired international projection with “El violador en tu camino” by LasTesis. Nothing can be the same after this women’s revolt and, certainly, the demands of our women can no longer be forgotten. This explains why they have become a priority in Gabriel Boric’s transformation programme.
Today, measures to put an end to violence against women and sexual dissidence, to ensure sexual and reproductive rights, equality of the sexes in the workplace and a balance of political power between men and women are unavoidable. This is what is proposed in Boric’s programme. In particular, the original initiative on a National Care System stands out, which proposes to redistribute the care of children between the State, the Community and the home. Finally, and as a response to the urgency of the economic recovery after the pandemic, female participation in the labour market will be a priority. Thus, it is estimated that the recovery of economic rights, as well as guaranteeing sexual and reproductive rights, will allow Chilean women to achieve a fuller life. And, of course, with the support they will receive from the National Care System, women will have greater security, while they remain at work, about the protection of their children, which is especially important in populations where crime and drug trafficking are rife.
The second cross-cutting axis aims to tackle the climate and ecological crisis. This is a challenge not only for our country but for humanity. Chile is extremely vulnerable to the effects of the crisis, both because of its consequences on climate stability and the preservation of ecosystems and because of the dynamics imposed by the current economic model on the relationship with nature. Today, poverty and inequality have the face of drought, pollution and the devastation of ecosystems that used to sustain forms of life that are no longer possible.
Boric’s programme implies a commitment to place the principles of a just ecological transition at the centre of productive management, together with a new role for the State to ensure rapid progress in the energy transformation, accelerating the goals of decarbonisation, with a new perspective on water management, aimed at the rational management and recovery of water basins. This approach will allow us to give peace of mind, in the first place, to the sacrifice zones, such as the case of Quintero-Puchuncaví, which has become a dramatic situation. This area is the clearest expression of the fact that in the current economic model the rights of businessmen are more important than the rights of children. And it is clear that when the entrepreneurial passion for profit is not properly regulated, it destroys nature and condemns the weakest to bear the costs of growth. This kind of growth does not serve the country well.
At the same time, a new approach to water management is essential to ensure a better life for vast sectors of our population, especially in the north of our country, who have to live with the unfortunate daily experience of water trucks for their water supply. Progress in ecological and environmental protection will guarantee greater security and stability for vast social sectors of our country and will reduce their growing protests over demands for the end of the sacrifice zones and the urgency of water shortages.
Decentralisation is Boric’s third cross-cutting issue. It is a matter of political and citizen concern, because economic and political power has become hopelessly concentrated in Santiago. The demand for decentralisation is long-standing and only recently was the election of regional authorities achieved, but with the limitation of the parallel instance of the presidential delegates. Consequently, Boric proposes that resources and competences be distributed throughout the country’s different territories. And this must include, of course, the decentralisation of fiscal resources.
Thus, the regions will have a vital role to play in establishing productive priorities under a new role for the state in the process of productive change. This will require convergence with the scientific, technological, educational and social organisation spheres. In this area, the rapprochement between local political power, territorial productive enterprises and citizens’ organisations will allow for greater rapprochement and convergence, which will facilitate greater social stability and will surely reduce tensions and violence in the regions.
Finally, there is the fourth transversal axis, which is decent work. Decent work must become a determining factor for social integration and cohesion and a primary tool for the distribution of wealth. Decent work must be based on the full right to freedom of association, collective bargaining, productive jobs and decent wages. Work must ensure the development of a full working and family life. That is why we propose a 40-hour working week and a minimum wage that allows workers and their families to escape from poverty.
Decent work is the best guarantee for reducing poverty and income inequality, improvements in health, quality education and gender equality. At the same time, it allows for progress in social tranquillity and “is an integral part of a social pact that includes all of us”.
In short, these cross-cutting themes in Boric’s programme point in three directions. Firstly, they are the basis for the transformation of the economic-social model of injustice that the Chilean people have been suffering for 40 years. Secondly, they respond to the citizens’ demands of the October 2019 revolt. And thirdly, these four cross-cutting axes, and the transformations that accompany them, will ensure our country a time of peace, social stability and tranquillity that no right-wing government can guarantee.
