Strategic Capacity in Spontaneous Uprisings: The Role of Collective Memory in the 'Chile Despertó' Movement (2019-2020)

Based on a case study of the ‘Chile Despertó’ movement (2019-20), this article examines the strategic capacity of social uprisings and how cultural factors, such as memory, influence its deployment. While strategy is typically seen as a power of social movement organizations, this raises the question of what strategic capacity exists in spontaneous uprisings where organizations lack control over tactics. This paper contributes to this discussion through a case study of the Chilean uprising, characterized by a high involvement of unaffiliated demonstrators and a rejection of political organizations. After the government deployed harsh police repression against the protesters, collective memories of the political violence enacted during the military dictatorship (1973-1989) were triggered, impacting the movement in various ways. Thus, this study explores how collective memories influence the movement’s tactical development. Interviews with 38 active participants reveal two main influences: the activation of past tactics and the framing of the conflict as part of historical continuity. Furthermore, this not only shapes how protesters adopt certain tactics but also affects how they confront and cope with repression. This study contributes to the understanding of how cultural aspects of collective action, such as collective memories, influence the strategic capacity of social uprisings. The results are particularly relevant for grasping collective action in individualized societies, where individuals often resist organized struggle.