The Chile Project: The Story of the Chicago Boys and the Downfall of Neoliberalism

by Sebastian Edwards
The Chile Project: The Story of the Chicago Boys and the Downfall of Neoliberalism cover
Good Books rating 4.47
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  • ID: 1198
  • Added: 2025-09-28
  • Updated: 2025-10-01
  • ISBN: 9780691249360
  • Publisher: Princeton University Press
  • Published: 2023-05-23
  • Formats: 15
  • Reviews: 3

The Chile Project by Sebastian Edwards delves into the fascinating history of how Chile became the epicenter of the world's most radical free-market experiment. The book traces the origins of this economic model to the U.S. State Department's 'Chile Project' in 1955, which trained Chilean economists at the University of Chicago under Milton Friedman. After Pinochet's coup in 1973, these 'Chicago Boys' implemented sweeping privatization and deregulation, creating a modern capitalist economy that sparked global admiration./n/nHowever, beneath the surface of this 'Chilean miracle,' deep-seated inequalities fueled growing dissatisfaction. The book chronicles the 2019 protests and the election of Gabriel Boric in 2021, who vowed to end neoliberalism. Edwards provides a critical perspective on the history and global decline of neoliberalism, using Chile's story as a microcosm of broader economic and political shifts.

Reviews
Reason · Staff Review · 2023-07-30
comprehensive 4.70

The book is praised for its wide-ranging and fair-minded account of the Chilean neoliberal model, offering a comprehensive look at its rise and fall.

The team at Reason loved the comprehensive nature of the book. They think it provides a fair-minded account of the Chilean neoliberal model, highlighting both its achievements and its eventual downfall. They particularly appreciate the wide-ranging scope of the book, which covers not just economic policies but also the social and political contexts that shaped them. They found the narrative engaging and well-supported by historical evidence, making it a valuable read for anyone interested in economic history.

Quick quotes

    With The Chile Project, he has written a marvelously wide-ranging and fair-minded account of the rise and fall of the Chilean neoliberal model.

    The book offers a comprehensive look at the Chilean neoliberal model.

    The narrative is engaging and well-supported by historical evidence.

Democracy Paradox · Staff Review · 2023-06-27
balanced 4.20

The book offers a balanced perspective on the history of neoliberalism in Chile, providing a nuanced understanding of its impact.

Over at Democracy Paradox, they think the book offers a balanced view of neoliberalism's history in Chile. They appreciate how Edwards presents both the successes and failures of the economic model, providing a nuanced understanding of its impact. They also highlight the book's ability to connect economic policies with broader social and political contexts. They found the discussion on the downfall of neoliberalism particularly insightful, as it sheds light on the complex interplay of factors that led to its decline.

Quick quotes

    Offers what I would describe as a balanced account of the rise and fall of the Chilean neoliberal model.

    Edwards presents both the successes and failures of the economic model.

    The discussion on the downfall of neoliberalism is particularly insightful.

Foreign Affairs · Staff Review · 2023-02-28
informative 4.50

The book offers a captivating narrative that combines intricate details of Chile's economic policies and the personalities behind them. It provides a deep dive into the intellectual history of the country's economic development.

At Foreign Affairs, they found the narrative compelling and well-researched. The review highlights how the book effectively blends the personal stories of key figures with the broader economic policies that shaped Chile. They appreciate the depth of analysis and the way it contextualizes the rise and fall of neoliberalism in Chile. However, they note that the book's focus on economic policies might be dense for some readers, but it is a valuable resource for those interested in economic history and political science.

Quick quotes

    Edwards narrates a fascinating insider intellectual history of the policies and personalities behind Chile's economic development.

    The book offers a deep dive into the intellectual history of the country's economic development.

    It provides a balanced account of the rise and fall of the Chilean neoliberal model.

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