The Other Side of Chile’s National Celebration: 51% Feel Little or No Pride in Chilean Democracy

Original article: La otra cara de Fiestas Patrias: 51% siente poco o ningún orgullo por la democracia chilena

51% of the population feels little or no pride in Chilean democracy, as revealed by the latest edition of the Criteria Survey, conducted on Sunday, September 20.

The survey provided insights into national pride during the Fiestas Patrias, asking respondents about various factors related to the country’s identity, with democracy ranking the lowest.

Specifically, 39% of those surveyed expressed feeling little pride in Chilean democracy, while 12% felt very little pride. In contrast, 35% reported feeling quite proud and 14% very proud.

In contrast, 53% expressed being very proud of Chilean cuisine, while 37% felt quite proud. Only 9% indicated feeling little pride and 1% no pride at all.

Regarding folklore, 49% reported feeling very proud, 39% quite proud, while 10% felt little pride and 2% no pride.

On the subject of Chile’s history, 31% of respondents said they feel very proud, and 42% quite proud, with 22% and 5% indicating little or no pride, respectively.

Regarding the character of Chileans, 19% stated they feel very proud, while 40% expressed feeling quite proud. Meanwhile, 32% and 8% said they feel little or no pride.

As for the level of development achieved by the country, 14% replied they feel very proud and 48% quite proud. Simultaneously, 28% indicated feeling little pride and 6% felt very little proud.

The Criteria Survey, conducted through an online panel, asked 802 men and women aged 18 and older from various socioeconomic backgrounds across the country: How proud do you feel about Chile? 89% of respondents reported feeling proud of Chile, with 54% feeling «very proud» and 35% «quite proud.»

Regarding the query “What makes you most proud of Chile?”, the overwhelming majority of respondents chose its landscapes and geographical diversity (60%), followed by its natural resources (33%) and traditions and customs (33%).

Further down the list are cuisine (27%), history (22%), arts and culture (19%), and the country’s development and growth (19%), with democracy being mentioned by only 12% of respondents and institutions at 4%.