Allendism

Allendism (Spanish: Allendismo) is an ideological current that bases its positions and lines on what was the government of Salvador Allende, former president of Chile who, together with the Popular Unity (Unidad Popular, UP), ruled the country until the coup d'état of 1973, headed by Augusto Pinochet. Within the political spectrum it is located between the left-wing and the center left, basing its principles on democratic socialism, institutionalism and reformism. The followers of this current are called allendistas.

History
Within Allendism there are mainly two theoretical-historical currents, one led by Salvador Allende himself and followed by the Communist and Radical Party, just like the MAPU Obrero Campesino and Independent Popular Action; while the other current, of a more radical nature, led by Carlos Altamirano, was followed by the Socialist Party, MAPU, and Christian Left. Allende's doctrine spoke of structurally reforming the country, while at the same time trying to reach agreements with the Christian Democracy, the Confederation of Democracy and the business sectors so as not to increase the internal and social tension that the country was experiencing. The Communist Party, which was in favor of these measures, spoke of "moving forward by consolidating."

Altamirano's thinking, on the contrary, used the motto "move forward without compromising",, with which it expressed the refusal to reach any agreement with the business sectors, the center and the right wing during the government; it represented the most radical line within the Popular Unity coalition. since at that time sectors viewed the electoral route with distrust. During the coup, Pinochet ordered the immediate assassination of Carlos Altamirano, considering him a possible factor in armed resistance.

After the so-called “socialist renewal”, in which the exiles of the UP in Europe embraced and internalized the institutional framework and social democracy as ideological bases, the Allendism adopted a more institutional and conciliatory character with respect to the reforms raised by the same current. Currently, experts define Allendism as a feeling of nostalgia for the Popular Unity period, without necessarily wanting to restore or retry the reforms made during that time.

After the Chilean transition to democracy, Allendism as a political ideology was welcomed by different left-wing political parties. On December 9, 1991, the leftist political coalition Movimiento de Izquierda Democrática Allendista was formed. It was made up of the Communist Party, the Communist Party (Proletarian Action), MAPU, the Revolutionary Left Movement and the Christian Left. It was directed by Pedro Vuskovic, former socialist militant and Minister of Economy during the government of Allende, and also included among its main figures other left-wing personalities, such as the priest Rafael Maroto and the deputy Mario Palestro.

It participated in the 1992 municipal elections, achieving the election of 35 councilors and the appointment of Jorge Soria as mayor of the commune of Iquique. In the 1993 presidential election, he supported the candidacy of the priest Eugenio Pizarro and presented candidates for the National Congress in the parliamentary elections of that same year. In the latter he participated under the name of Left Democratic Alternative, officially registered with the Electoral Service on July 14 of that year. The coalition officially dissolved on May 10, 1993.

On September 28, 2019, Jorge Arrate and Ernesto Águila founded the political party Socialist Platform. In its beginnings, they was a member of Apruebo Dignidad, and since February 2023, they are from the Broad Front. The Movimiento del Socialismo Allendista emerged in 2021, its main leader is Esteban Silva Cuadra, who left the Socialist Party. He was also a member of the Allendistas por Jadue command, whose objective was to "ensure the victory" of the communist politician Daniel Jadue in the presidential primaries on July 18, and rescue Allende's legacy.