Different ideas of social cohesion were positioned as a key, at least discursive, for different political positions during the last weeks. And although the concept may be flexible and diffuse, there are common axes that can help us place the discussion in the light of the truncated constitutional process, as well as the challenges that open up.
On what foot is social cohesion in Chile after the plebiscite? Let’s start with the positive: An impeccable and surprisingly massive election, with 13 million voters. Another milestone was the successful allocation of polling places, which led to families and neighbors being able to meet civically.
However, the challenges that fall on social cohesion in Chile are enormous: to generate greater trust, increase the levels of associativity, generate solidarity support and legitimize the institutional order beyond its capacity for coercion. Of course, there are no solutions to deficits that drag on for decades, but there are dynamics that would allow confidence in social ties to be rebuilt.
In this regard, in the short term, at least two fundamental elements must be addressed, exposed after the plebiscite: A credible institutionality, which fairly and efficiently fulfills the commitments, with concrete advances in the change of the pension system, anti-crime policy and public order, and tax reform.
Search for the common. The fragmentary proposal did not make sense, not because people do not want greater gender equality or inclusion of indigenous peoples, but because we need to understand each other within a collective. People seek not only to have a positive image of themselves, but also of the groups to which they belong.
62% of the rejection is not a blank check. The challenge is enormous and this is not the time for empty slogans. The citizens did their part, now it is key that the institutions comply with theirs.
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