Social care in Bolivia and Chile: Government and cuidadanía

Abstract

This article examines the organization of social care in Chile and Bolivia. The analysis takes on special relevance in the context of global care chains that exist between the two countries, which emerge as a strategy for managing the crisis of care that is increasingly affecting Chilean society. Through the lens of cuidadanía, the author examines government participation as an element of social care. Specifically, the article analyzes the provision of public childcare in the two nations. The results indicate that both Bolivia and Chile have made progress in this area, as evidenced by public programs, laws, and program statements. Both governments are taking steps towards the installation of a model of cuidadanía in which social co-responsibility timidly begins to be established. However, the coverage of the programs is not complete and there is a lack of consistency between the priorities that have been identified and the laws that must be implemented in order to support these efforts.