Consensus and Dissent in Historical Memory and in Attitudes Toward Reparation in Three Generations of Chileans

In 2 correlational studies conducted in Santiago de Chile (N1 = 996 and N2 = 841) —with samples based on quotas of socioeconomic status, age, and gender— 2 hypotheses were tested: (a) that Chileans socialized in different political context (before, during or after the dictatorship) and who have different political orientations (left, center or right) exhibit consensus in their historical memory, but differ concerning the evaluation of reparation policies toward victims of the dictatorship, and (b) that ideological attitudes (authoritarianism, support for democracy, and orientation towards social dominance) explain differences in the evaluation of the reparation policies. Analysis of an open question showed consensus between generations and between political groups about considering the coup d’etat in 1973 and the transition to democracy as the central elements of Chilean political history. Results of structural equation modeling showed that political groups differ in their evaluation of reparation policies (with the left being more supportive). Dissent was explained by the ideological attitudes underlying the left-right distinction.