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The Neglected Stepchild: Military Justice and Democratic Transition in Chile

Recent judicial reforms in Chile have been hailed by some observers as the most successful in Latin America, and a significant step in the deepening of Chilean democracy. However, the reforms largely ignored the jurisdiction and procedures of military justice. This article analyzes Chilean military justice, arguing that some of its features are incompatible with a democratic legal system. The article then examines attempts to reform the system during and after the democratic transition in Chile, arguing that such attempts failed due to continuities in the power of the military.

Chile, democratic transition, military justice

Citation: Social Justice Vol. 32, No. 2 (2005): 115-131.