What Chile's Failed Progressive Constitution Teaches Us (Once Again) About Human Nature

On September 4, the bold political experiment of a sweeping new Chilean Constitution was struck down with 62% of people voting against it. The “left-leaning” Constitution “would have enshrined over 100 rights into Chile’s national charter, more than any other constitution in the world, including the right to housing, education, clean air, water, food, sanitation, internet access, retirement benefits, free legal advice and care ‘from birth to death.’”

The draft constitution was alternately praised for being “steeped in science” and criticized as “absurdly utopian.” Everyone did agree on one thing: the scope of the proposed Constitution was vast. Probably too vast.

In a country facing rising inflation and crime, the 170 page proposal inspired “widespread uncertainty about its implications and cost.” There was, in other words, too much to agree upon too quickly. Change, no matter how desperately needed, usually only comes in small bursts when you're dealing with something as large and complex as an entire nation.