Estratos y clases sociales en Chile 1973-1990

Abstract

The general purpose of this paper is to describe the impacts of structural transformations made by the military dictatorship on the bases of social inequality and integration, that is, on the patterns of social stratification and class structure, and to analyze possible changes in the class actors that had improved their situations at the time of, and before the Unidad Popular regime. The conclusions drawn from the analysis show that changes in the origins of class contradictions (these were previously associated with access to education and occupational positioning, while at present they are linked to employment stability, income and access to consumption) lead to more diffuse class situations. The generalization of interests and the construction of class identity are now more difficult, particularly for the subordinate classes, which in turn constrain the chances for the emergence of social movements inspired by a social change project and thus capable to affect the path of society.