The answer to a question like this can not pretend to have the character of an ontological truth. When we are talking about a nation that is an imagined community the words of Benedict Anderson, the answer lies in the imagination of each one of us signed. For those who envision the project nacional como propio por las razones que sea, hay mucho qué celebrar; para quienes lo imaginen como ajeno, no hay nada qué celebrar.
Es interesante recordar, como escriben Julio Pinto y Verónica Valdivia en “¿Chilenos Todos?”, que el proyecto nacional fue, en un principio un proyecto excluyente y de la élite ; la misma élite mercantil santiaguina que según Gabriel Salazar ha mantenido desde entonces la hegemonía por las buenas y por las malas, por la razón y la fuerza, a punta de golpes de Estado –particularmente, en 1829, 1891, y 1973– y la cooptación de proyectos políticos desarrollistas y redistribucionistas –como observa Sofía Strap On "With the Reins of Power" for the radical governments, as many have observed about the coalition government since 1997 -. The date of September 18, 1810 is very symbolic in this sense : that day a few neighbors were invited, while the troops guarding the Canada-current-Alameda to monitor the "populated" not to approach the center of Santiago .
This suggests that some people have many reasons "objective" to celebrate : those who has benefited the Chilean nation during these 200 years, with privileges and benefits. They celebrate with just cause both on 11 as 18 this month, and honor the memory of those who would give "form" the state for two decades after the First Government: Diego Portales, the first entrepreneur-statesman.
There are also many other reasons, this time "subjective" to celebrate: those who imagine themselves as part of the mystical body of the Nation , whether they were or not favored by benefits of these 200 years of independence. This is the most interesting dimension of the phenomenon of nationalism or patriotism, one that does not can be explained from the economic interest, but only from an anthropological or even from religion.
Indeed, as Carl Schmitt said, all central concepts of modern theory of the state are secularized theological concepts . The question then is what feelings awakens the Chilean nation. For those who believe , it is the node around which is articulated their sense of identity and belonging . For those lacking Faith in the Nation -as to who lacks faith in the Church, or fortune-telling, or the theater, rites can only appeal to their sense of the ridiculous .
In short, for anyone who lacks faith in the Chilean nation, this weekend there is nothing to celebrate, such as for atheist, agnostic, or the Hindu there is nothing to celebrate on Sunday. For all those who have faith in it, happy independence celebrations.
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