<strong>Vital Connections</strong> is the first booklength treatment in English of theevolution of social security in Chile and its privatization under the Pino... » 

Vital Connections is the first booklength treatment in English of theevolution of social security in Chile and its privatization under the Pinochetregime. Borzutzkys study contains a dynamic history of Chilean politics asophisticated discussion of social inequalities and an indepth analysis ofsocial security policies in Chile from 1924 to the present. Her work focuses onthree critical historical periods the mid1920s the late 1960s and the earlyto mid1970s. In each of these key epochs Chile experienced a crisis whichprompted a reform of its socioeconomic organization and consequently of itssocial security system.Throughout this concise readable book Borzutzky argues that Chiles socialsecurity system presented to the world a positive image while hiding apolitical reality that was steeped in profound inequality. According toBorzutzky Chiles social security system helped to create a narrative thatportrayed the country as a unified society with a legitimate political system.Efforts on the part of the Chilean people to make this narrative a realitythreatened those in power and ultimately led the Pinochet regime to destroy thepolitical system and create a new narrative that stressed individualism butin actuality perpetuated rampant human rights abuses.Borzutzkys timely analysis is particularly relevant to current considerationsof social security reforms. Chiles social security system is often presentedas a model for the rest of Latin America and other regions of the worldincluding the United States. Borzutzkys book highlights the impact ofprivatization on various segments and aspects of society including women andthe fiscal budget.Withan impressive array of historical and current data to support herstatements Borzutzky offers a compelling counterargument to privatization andto tradtional interpretations of Chilean politics. She offers a new window onthe intimate connections between politics polici «