It is somehow fitting that Jeane Kirkpatrick and Augusto Pinochet should die within a week of each other. For it was Kirkpatrick who did most to provide an intellectual justification for American tolerance for Latin American dictators, like Pinochet.

By making a now famous distinction between “authoritarian” and “totalitarian” regimes, Kirkpatrick sought to defeat the idea that there was a “moral equivalence” between American support for right-wing dictators and Soviet support for their own client regimes. The general idea was that authoritarian regimes were less awful than the totalitarian variety – because they allowed more space for civil society and free markets and were, partly as a result, much more likely eventually to give way to democracy. The fact that the Pinochet regime did eventually give way to a restoration of democracy in Chile was hailed by some as a perfect illustration of the Kirkpatrick thesis.

But the fact that the death of Pinochet has provoked some bitterly divided reactions in the west, is a reminder that his name can still revive memories of the political battles of the Cold War. For some on the right in Britain, America and parts of Europe, the Pinochet regime had a lot to be said for it. Not only did it prevent Chile “going communist”, it also served as a testing ground for important free-market economic reforms – such as the privatisation of pensions. The fact that Chile today is both democratic and more prosperous than the Latin American average is used to illustrate the argument that a “Pinochet period” might be necessary in some countries. I’ve heard that argument made by Thatcherites, by American right-wingers and even (oddly enough) by officials in Singapore.

To the left, of course, any justification for Pinochet’s deeds is an abomination. They will swiftly remind you about the torture and murder under his regime. The radio shows in Britain last night featured some pretty gruelling testimony from some of his victims. And it was interesting that the White House spokesman also emphasised Pinochet’s victims – which shows that, these days, even a conservative America president is reluctant to go down the Kirkpatrick route on Latin American dictatorships.

Possibly Pinochet’s most stalwart remaining defender in the west is Margaret Thatcher. A ticket of anti-communism and free markets was always likely to appeal to her. But Lady Thatcher also has a more personal reason to remember Pinochet fondly – the fact that he provided stalwart support for Britain in the Falklands conflict of 1982.

Ironically, Jeane Kirkpatrick was on the other side. In line with her determination not to undermine friendly Latin American dictatorships, Kirkpatrick leaned further than anyone else in the Reagan administration, towards General Galtieri’s Argentina. As a result, she is still regarded with distaste by Thatcherites.

December 11th, 2006 in Current Affairs | Permalink