[burzum]

It is interesting to compare Chile today compared to the rest of South America. As far as civil liberties and press freedom are concerned, Chile has no peer. And averaging >5% increase in GDP per year, their economy is booming. Even their recently elected socialist had to promise no nationalizations of companies nor anti-free trade policies (actually she has signed several free trade agreements). Some maps.

GDP Per capita (PPP)

Freedom House's political rights survey 2006


Freedom House's civil liberties survey 2006

Reporters without Border's press Freedom

Corruption perception index

Ease of doing business index

Heritage Foundation Distribution of Economic Freedom

Global Competitiveness Index


Etcetera. Chile is the most promising South American country by a very very large margin. I'm sure the stability that Pinochet provided had a lot to do with this.

[Alter Kaker]

Ask your typical Chilean what they feel about Pinochet -- it isn't pretty. Chile is free in spite, not because of his rule.

[FreedomPoster]

Nicely done, thanks for those. I'm sure I'll have the opportunity to display them to some Lefties soon. As soon as they get this news, they'll be slamming Pinochet.