During the last four years, a huge wave of student mobilisations has shaken Chile. The student mo... more During the last four years, a huge wave of student mobilisations has shaken Chile. The student movement demanded universal free higher education, challenging not only the market-driven educational system, but also the inequalities produced by the predominant neoliberal system in Chile. A key factor in strengthening the movement was the strong leadership skills of its student leaders that were recognised as relevant political actors. In 2013 elections, four of the main leaders got elected as members of the Chilean parliament. It is beyond doubt that some of the former leaders were willing to compromise and that the new government has co-opted the students’ demands, in an effort to ascend to power. However, the impact of these leaders has been wider: they managed to bring education at the center of the political debate, to redefine its meaning as a social right, and to generate public scepticism about the Chilean neoliberal model.
During the last four years, a huge wave of student mobilisations has shaken Chile. The student mo... more During the last four years, a huge wave of student mobilisations has shaken Chile. The student movement demanded universal free higher education, challenging not only the market-driven educational system, but also the inequalities produced by the predominant neoliberal system in Chile. A key factor in strengthening the movement was the strong leadership skills of its student leaders that were recognised as relevant political actors. In 2013 elections, four of the main leaders got elected as members of the Chilean parliament. It is beyond doubt that some of the former leaders were willing to compromise and that the new government has co-opted the students’ demands, in an effort to ascend to power. However, the impact of these leaders has been wider: they managed to bring education at the center of the political debate, to redefine its meaning as a social right, and to generate public scepticism about the Chilean neoliberal model.
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