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

The Chile Project is a groundbreaking book that reveals the untold story of how Chile became home to the world's most radical free-market experiment, and what its downfall suggests about the fate of neoliberalism around the globe.

Written by Sebastian Edwards, a renowned economist and expert on Latin American politics, this book provides a behind-the-scenes history of the spread and consequences of free-market thinking that dominated economic policymaking in the second half of the 20th century. The Chile Project offers a fascinating account of how the U.S.

State Department launched the "Chile Project" to train Chilean economists at the University of Chicago, home of the libertarian Milton Friedman, and how General Augusto Pinochet's regime implemented the purest neoliberal model in the world for 17 years, sparking talk of a "Chilean miracle." However, under the veneer of success, a profound dissatisfaction with the vast inequalities caused by neoliberalism was growing. In 2019, protests erupted throughout Chile, and in 2022, Gabriel Boric began his presidency with a clear mandate to end neoliberalismo.

The Chile Project provides an important new perspective on the consequences of neoliberalism and offers a compelling account of how one country's experience can inform the global debate about economic policy.

With its rich narrative and insightful analysis, this book is essential reading for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of neoliberalism and the future of economic policymaking.