Chilean political factions clash over the concept of social order

In Chile, the concept of “order” has become a central point of contention between the right, the left, and social democrats. This struggle is framed as a battle for cultural hegemony, determining what is perceived as legitimate and democratic in the 21st century.

Drawing on the theories of Antonio Gramsci, the discourse suggests that social order is not a neutral state but a political and cultural construction. A dominant group maintains order not just through state coercion—such as the police or military—but through moral and intellectual leadership within civil society, including schools, media, and churches.

An “organic crisis” occurs when the ruling class loses its ability to persuade through hegemony and must rely solely on coercion, leading to a dispute over the established order.