The Corporation for Latin American Studies ends its activities after five decades. José Pablo Arellano, one of its founders, reviewed its history and legacy in an interview.
CIEPLAN announced the closure of its operations after 50 years of existence. The institution, which began as CEPLAN in 1970 at the Pontificia Universidad Católica and became independent in 1976, contributed 17 ministers of State and seven Central Bank counselors to Chilean public policies.
José Pablo Arellano, former minister and one of the founders, explained that the center was created to conduct independent economic research during the dictatorship. He highlighted studies such as the one that revealed in the 1970s that the CPI was underestimated and the questioning of policies like reducing corporate tax to zero.
Arellano noted that many CIEPLAN members participated in the first Concertación government under President Aylwin. There they promoted measures such as increasing corporate taxes and seeking broad agreements with business leaders and unions.
The former Budget Director said the decision to close responds to the fact that the stage has been completed. Today there are more independent centers and many of their members have already contributed in previous governments.
