The Possibilities For The Renaissance Of Mutualism In Chile Between 1930 And 1960. Case Study, Limache

Abstract

This article problematizes the situation of mutualism between
1930 and 1960 in Chile, starting with a case study that confronts
general views built by historiography. In spite of the
creation of the Social Security, mutualism had not entered its
final phase, essentially because not all the workers could insure
themselves. Those who could ensure themselves often
could not permanently do it because of a breach with their
employers or some other reason. Consequently, the culture
of mutualism could not maintain itself without also revitalizing
itself. With regards to this subject, we see that mutualism
emerged as an active form of sociability and was much more
interactive on local and regional levels than in the period of
transition from the ninetieth century to the twentieth century,
which was when mutualism was strongly stressed due to the
progress of secularization and the reactions of clergymen. At
the same time from the perspective of social composition, just
as with the socio-political initiatives, they are identified as belonging
to the middle and lower classes. Obviously, this study
presents a reflection about this problem based on a particular
case and thus its conclusions are not to be generalization.

Keywords: Mutualism, trade-unionism, sociability, social insurance