“The largest universities are all in Santiago,” Báez says, “so they’re the ones that receive the highest percentage of resources.” The proposed constitution indicates that the state should create the conditions needed to develop science across Chile.Īlso included is the state’s obligation to guarantee freedom of research, which, according to Ortiz Carmona, could prevent “undue pressures” from economic or political powers aiming to influence the country’s research.

For example, one of its articles says that the state should rely on science to ensure the “continuous improvement” of public services and goods. Credit: Javier Torres/AFP/Gettyīut it goes further by adding that scientific achievements and technological solutions should be used to improve the life of Chileans. In October 2019, Chileans protested a rise in metro ticket prices, which they viewed as emblematic of deep inequality in the country. Similar to the current constitution, the proposal mandates that the state “stimulate” science and technology - crucial for a country that, for the past decade, has consistently invested less than 0.4% of its gross domestic product in the fields. And several polls show that the majority of people surveyed plan to vote against it. The product, some have pointed out, is the first constitution in Chile’s history not written by political, economic or military elites.ĭespite having been drafted by a diverse group, the vision for Chile’s future has not won favour with everyone. A year later, the nation voted overwhelmingly to replace the document.Ī democratically elected assembly, including scientists, teachers, students and Indigenous representatives, formed to draft it.

In October 2019, many Chileans protested decades-long social and economic inequalities stemming, as they saw it, from Pinochet’s policies, and demanded political reform, as well as a new constitution. That document contains only brief, weak mentions of science, says Santiago-based sociologist José Ortiz Carmona, who authored a 2021 report comparing how science is represented across 193 constitutions - and many see it as the source of profound inequality in Chile. These stand in stark contrast to the contents of the current constitution, enacted more than four decades ago under the military dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet. It contains a number of articles designed to boost science, expand environmental protection and improve the nation’s education system. Chile’s science transformation gains steam with new presidentĪs researchers in Chile pore over the text, which could reshape their country if approved during a 4 September vote, they are finding a lot to like.

Metro 4 septembre