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

Kowalczyk, AM

Abstract

The thesis makes a contribution to a body of flourishing globalisation literature, which
examines the role of transnational forces and processes in changes of domestic
economic policy and the nature of regime, and which is associated with a broad array of
approaches including neo-Gramscianism, the Amsterdam School of international
relations, and with the works of Michael Hardt and Antonio Negri. It is contended that
these approaches offer potent conceptual tools for understanding the changing nature of
power 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 and
domestic coalitions of interests, thereby frequently providing highly deterministic
explanations of changes in domestic economic policy and the nature of the regime, in
developing countries in particular. The aim of the thesis is to search for a method that
would allow for accounting for the role of transnational forces and processes in
determinate social formations while avoiding viewing domestic politics as externally
determined or shaped by isolated but transnationally-connected domestic actors.
Significant attention is paid to the concept "internationalisation of the state" developed
by Nicos Poulantzas and its relevance to understanding contemporary global processes
is 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 stands
In the way of the will of external forces (US imperialism or international financial
organisations) or transnationally connected domestic actors (technocracy and the army)
as they are even able to bring down a democratically elected government, persuade
traditionally apolitical military to adopt an anticommunist approach, and transform a
heavily politicised society into a consumerism-oriented one. If the role of specifically
domestic forces is crucial for the understanding of Chilean politics, they will be also
significant in other cases.

Citation

Kowalczyk, A. Understanding the transnational and the domestic : the case of the neoliberal restructuring in Chile, 1973-1989. (Thesis). University of Salford

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Jul 27, 2021
• Award Date: Jun 1, 2012