Lazzara, Michael. Civil Obedience: Complicity and Complacency in Chile Since Pinochet

Civil Obedience: Complicity and Complacency in Chile Since Pinochet explores the intricate moral landscapes of Chile’s recent history, particularly under the Pinochet regime (1973-1990) and its aftermath. Lazzara delves into the often-overlooked role of civilians in supporting and benefiting from Pinochet’s authoritarian rule and neoliberal reforms, contrasting them against the more traditional focus on victims and direct perpetrators in memory studies. The book challenges simplistic narratives of heroes and villains, aiming instead to uncover the complexities and ambiguities of complicity—how ordinary citizens, knowingly or unknowingly, contributed to or benefited from oppressive systems.

This exploration is crucial for understanding contemporary Chilean society, still grappling with questions of memory, justice, and reconciliation decades after Pinochet’s rule. Lazzara critiques the inadequacy of a binary view of history and argues for a more nuanced examination of complicit actors’ memories and narratives. By doing so, he illuminates broader ethical and societal implications, urging readers to confront uncomfortable truths about complicity and collective responsibility in shaping Chile’s modern identity.

Author of this entry: Meritxell Espona Vinyeta.

Lazzara, Michael J. 2018. Civil Obedience: Complicity and Complacency in Chile since Pinochet. Madison, Wisconsin: The University of Wisconsin Press.