Understanding the transnational and the domestic : the case of the neoliberal restructuring in Chile, 1973-1989

The thesis makes a contribution to a body of flourishing globalisation literature, whichexamines the role of transnational forces and processes in changes of domesticeconomic policy and the nature of regime, and which is associated with a broad array ofapproaches including neo-Gramscianism, the Amsterdam School of internationalrelations, and with the works of Michael Hardt and Antonio Negri. It is contended thatthese approaches offer potent conceptual tools for understanding the changing nature ofpower in the contemporary world through drawing attention to its transnational sources.At the same time, however, they seriously underestimate the role of the nation-state anddomestic coalitions of interests, thereby frequently providing highly deterministicexplanations of changes in domestic economic policy and the nature of the regime, indeveloping countries in particular. The aim of the thesis is to search for a method thatwould allow for accounting for the role of transnational forces and processes indeterminate social formations while avoiding viewing domestic politics as externallydetermined or shaped by isolated but transnationally-connected domestic actors.Significant attention is paid to the concept "internationalisation of the state" developedby Nicos Poulantzas and its relevance to understanding contemporary global processesis discussed.The thesis is illustrated by the case of Chile during the 1973-1989 military dictatorship,which seems to be the clearest justification of the argument that almost nothing standsIn the way of the will of external forces (US imperialism or international financialorganisations) or transnationally connected domestic actors (technocracy and the army)as they are even able to bring down a democratically elected government, persuadetraditionally apolitical military to adopt an anticommunist approach, and transform aheavily politicised society into a consumerism-oriented one. If the role of specificallydomestic forces is crucial for the understanding of Chilean politics, they will be alsosignificant in other cases.

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

Doctoral (Level 8)

Year dc:date.issued

2012

Author dc:creator

• Kowalczyk, AM

Language dc:language

en

Identifier

oai:salford-repository.worktribe.com:1338320

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:salford-repository.worktribe.com:1338320