Ad hoc commissions are well known in policymaking, yet their strategic deployment during crises remains less understood. This study examines how governments rely on expert commissions to manage blame and political risk in response to critical events. I argue that while commissions facilitate blame avoidance, their use is constrained when delegating authority to experts poses greater risks than benefits. Using logit models on longitudinal data from Chile (1990-2022), I assess how critical events affect commission appointments. The study draws on a novel dataset constructed through archival research and develops an original indicator of critical events using billions of media records from Google Jigsaw's Global Database of Events, Language, and Tone (GDELT). The findings reveal a conditional logic: high presidential disapproval and frequent critical events are associated with greater use of commissions, whereas sustained or severe events are linked to lower use. These results suggest that the deployment of expert commissions as a blame avoidance strategy is conditional on governments' political risk calculus.

This paper presents a bibliometric analysis of the Corporacion de Estudios para Latinoamerica (CIEPLAN in Spanish) scientific production. This was the most important think tank during the dictatorship and democratisation in Chile. The analysis is carried out based on bibliographic entries (n = 145), references (n = 4,055), and biographical information of the authors from 1979 to 1989. Three dimensions are analysed: scientific production and topics, collaboration and co-authorship, and references or information consumption. We use descriptive statistics, unsupervised topic modelling, and Social Network Analysis (SNA). The results reveal a constant trend in the scientific production and classic topics of the economy associated with inequality and political issues. Moreover, the collaboration and citation analyses show the existence of a community composed of recognised academics and members of the Chilean political elite who were central in the intellectual production and the references' network. These findings allow us to name CIEPLAN as one of the central epistemic communities during Chile's democratic recovery and transition, specifically during the first democratic governments, where a number of members were recruited to assume important positions in the executive. To this day, these actors continue influencing the policy-making process in Chile.

Este artículo presenta un análisis bibliométrico de la producción científica de la Corporación de Estudios para Latinoamérica (CIEPLAN), el centro de estudios más importante durante la dictadura y transición democrática en Chile. El análisis se realiza sobre un conjunto de registros bibliográficos (n = 145), referencias (n = 4.055) e información biográfica de los autores, durante 1979-1989. Se analizan tres dimensiones: producción científica y áreas temáticas; colaboración y coautoría; y referencias o consumo de información. Se utiliza estadística descriptiva, modelamiento temático no supervisado y Análisis de Redes Sociales (SNA, por sus siglas en inglés). Los resultados muestran una tendencia constante en la producción científica y temas centrados en tópicos clásicos de la economía asociados con temas de desigualdad y política. Además, los análisis de colaboración y referencias muestran la existencia de una comunidad compuesta por reconocidos académicos y miembros de la élite política chilena centrales en la producción intelectual y en la red de referencias. Estos hallazgos permiten denominar a CIEPLAN como una de las principales comunidades epistémicas durante la recuperación y transición democrática chilena, en específico, durante los primeros gobiernos democráticos dónde varios miembros fueron reclutados para asumir importantes cargos en el ejecutivo. Hasta hoy, estos actores siguen influenciando el proceso de formulación de políticas públicas en Chile.

This article analyses the sociodemographic determinants associated with the financial literacy levels of the Chilean population based on three dimensions: (1) knowledge; (2) behaviour; and (3) attitude. The study draws from data of the first and, thus far, the only national survey that has measured financial competency, conducted in 2016 by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), funded by the Financial Market Commission (CMF in Spanish) and the Andean Development Corporation (CAF in Spanish). It analyses the impact sociodemographic factors such as sex, age, education, and employment situation have on the financial literacy level of the population surveyed (N = 1.224). For each dimension, logistic regression models were adjusted consistent with the global financial literacy index. This method aimed to calculate, based on these variables, the probability that an individual may possess adequate knowledge, behaviour, and financial attitude. The findings indicate that a person between 30 and 60 years old, with a high education level, who earns a high income, will have a greater probability of possessing an adequate financial literacy level.

This paper analyses the legislative cosponsorship in the Chilean Chamber of Deputies over the 2010-2014 and 2014-2018 legislative periods. Specifically, using a Social Network Analysis (SNA), the representatives' bills coauthorship is studied in order to identify and compare legislative work strategies. Exploring the cosponsorship allows us to observe and analyse the actors' behaviour and the party and coalition strategies. The findings show the relevance and centrality of certain actors in the cosponsorship, as well as the logic of collective work, which break the Chamber's coalitions up and modify them.

Este artículo analiza el copatrocinio legislativo en la Cámara de Diputados de Chile durante los periodos legislativos 2010-‍2014 y 2014-‍2018. En específico, mediante un análisis de redes sociales (ARS), se estudia la coautoría de las mociones legislativas ingresadas por los representantes con el objetivo de identificar y comparar lógicas de trabajo legislativo. Explorar el copatrocinio de las mociones permite observar y analizar el comportamiento de los actores y las estrategias partidarias y de coalición. Los hallazgos de este trabajo muestran la importancia y centralidad de ciertos actores en el copatrocinio de mociones, así como también la existencia de lógicas de trabajo colectivo, que rompen y modifican las coaliciones en la Cámara.

The Higher Education (HE) systems of Chile and the UK are compared in terms of the ‘massification’ (Altbach, 1989) and the relevance and adequacy of the private-public provision mix. Dissimilar, each country has tried to build social inclusion into HE outreach at the same time as allowing participation of the private sector. Also included in the research are a) the role of social capital as a positive contribution for the social and economic development; b) the current state of social inequality in access to HE; and c) an in-depth analysis of the implications of both state and private roles over social inclusion in HE. Outreach programmes from each country, the Propedeutico in Chile and Aimhigher in the UK, are also analysed for lessons learned.

The Higher Education (HE) systems of Chile and the UK are compared in terms of the ‘massification’ (Altbach, 1989) and the relevance and adequacy of the private-public provision mix. Dissimilar, each country has tried to build social inclusion into HE outreach at the same time as allowing participation of the private sector. Also included in the research are a) the role of social capital as a positive contribution for the social and economic development; b) the current state of social inequality in access to HE; and c) an in-depth analysis of the implications of both state and private roles over social inclusion in HE. Outreach programmes from each country, the Propedeutico in Chile and Aimhigher in the UK, are also analysed for lessons learned.

Este documento de trabajo prueba un algoritmo alterantivo para los períodos legislativos analizados por González-Bustamante y Cisternas (2016) en Chile entre 1990 y 2014. Se utiliza específicamente ForceAtlas2, el cual es un algoritmo de diseño gráfico continuo desarrollado por Jacomy et al. (2014) basado en un diseño dirigido por fuerza. Se analiza la composición social, militancia y los antecedentes educativos para identificar el nivel de homogeneidad en cada legislatura.

ERLACS – European Review of Latin American and Caribbean Studies is an Open Access, scientific journal. It publishes peer-reviewed articles in English and Spanish. Contributions reflect substantial empirical research and/or are theoretically innovative with respect to major debates within social science research (understood in the broadest sense, including history and economics) on Latin America and the Caribbean. In addition to research articles, ERLACS includes 'Explorations' (a section in which new themes are presented and new debates are stimulated), review essays, book reviews, and film reviews. Articles are published online soon after they have been accepted.Sign up for our newsletter and read our latest issue!Special Collections:Heritage, protests and coloniality in contemporary Latin America, guest edited by Manuela Badilla, J. Renée Clark, Robert MasonViolent configurations of power in Mexico, guest edited by Adéle Blazquez, Romain Le Cour GrandmaisonVenezuela's crisis from global perspectives, guest edited by Benedicte Bull, Antulio RosalesElite and popular responses to a left in crisis, guest edited by Thomas Chiasson-LeBel, Manuel LarrabureMega-projects, contentious action, and policy change in Latin America, guest edited by Eduardo Silva, Maria Akchurin, Anthony J. Bebbington ERLACS – Revista Europea de Estudios Latinoamericanos y del Caribe es una revista científica de Acceso Abierto. Difunde artículos bajo la revisión de pares en inglés y español. Las contribuciones reflejan la investigación empírica sustancial y/o son teóricamente innovadoras con respecto a los grandes debates dentro de la investigación social (en el sentido más amplio, incluyendo la historia y la economía) en América Latina y el Caribe. Además de los artículos de investigación, ERLACS incluye 'Exploraciones' (una sección en la que se presentan los nuevos temas con el fin de estimular nuevos debates), ensayos de reseña, reseñas de libros, y críticas de cine. Los artículos se publican en línea poco después de haber sido aceptados.¡Suscríbase a nuestro boletín de noticias y lea nuestro último número!Números especiales: Heritage, protests and coloniality in contemporary Latin America, editado por Manuela Badilla, J. Renée Clark, Robert MasonViolent configurations of power in Mexico, editador por Adéle Blazquez, Romain Le Cour GrandmaisonVenezuela's crisis from global perspectives, editado por Benedicte Bull, Antulio RosalesElite and popular responses to a left in crisis, editado por Thomas Chiasson-LeBel, Manuel LarrabureMega-projects, contentious action, and policy change in Latin America, editado por Eduardo Silva, Maria Akchurin, Anthony J. Bebbington

Este artículo analiza la composición social de las élites políticas en el poder legislativo chileno, específicamente en la Cámara de Diputados entre 1990 y 2014. Se analizan las características personales y las tasas de reelección de los diputados del período (n = 720). Además se mide el grado de homogeneidad del trasfondo educacional de cada legislatura, lo que se complementa con modelos de interdependencia, específicamente análisis de clúster con un algoritmo de agrupamiento no jerárquico, y análisis de redes sociales. Los hallazgos sugieren que la composición social de cada legislatura es más homogénea/densa mientras mayor cercanía existe con el período de transición democrática. A pesar de que se verifica una elitización sociocultural de los diputados, aquello no implica, en términos generales, mayor concentración o densidad en las legislaturas de la postransición.

The infectious pancreatic necrosis virus, IPNV, is the etiological agent of a highly contagious disease that affects young salmon. If they survive, they become carriers and can;transmit the disease. To contribute to the fast and effective diagnosis in fish with the acute infection, as well as of carrier fish, the use of a monoclonal antibody in the detection of the virus in experimentally infected animals was studied. Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) fry infected with a Chilean IPNV isolate were used for the experience. To detect the viral antigens the ELISA immunodot and immunofluorescence methods were used.The monoclonal antibody used allows the diagnosis of the virus in carriers in less than three days irrespective of whether the sample was obtained from a fish with the acute disease or from carrier fish. In the first case the ELISA and immunodot methods can be applied directly on extracts of whole fish. In the second, the extracts of the carrier fish organs should be amplified during one and a half-day in cultured cells before performing the assays. It was determined also that the time required for IPNV diagnosis in carrier fish can be further shortened if the monolayers were examined for specific immunofluorescence in the infected cells, Additionally, it was proved that carrier fish can be easily detected by means of the direct staining of imprints of organs of suitably sized fish.

El virus de la necrosis pancreatica infecciosa, virus IPN es el agente casual de una enfermedad altamente contagiosa que afecta a peces salmonideos jovenes, estos cuando sobreviven pueden convertirse en portadores que pueden transmitir la enfermedad. Para contribuir al diagnostico rapido y efectivo del virus tanto en peces con la infeccion aguda, como en peces portadores, es que ensayamos la aplicacion de un anticuerpo monoclonal en la deteccion del virus en animales infectados experimentalmente. Utilizamos alevines de truchas arcoiris (Oncorhynchus mykiss) y de salmones coho (Oncorhynchus kisutch) infectados con virus IPN aislado en Chile. Para detectar a los antigenos virales empleamos ensayos de ELISA inmunodot e inmunofluorescencia. Los resultados muestran que en los peces con la enfermedad aguda el virus se detecta aplicando directamente los inmunoensayos en extractos de peces enteros. En cambio, para detectar al virus en los peces portadores fue necesario incorporar un paso adicional para amplificar al virus en cultivos celulares. A pesar de lo cual, sin embargo, los metodos se optimizaron de manera que el procedimiento completo se realizo en menos de tres dias para ELISA e inmunodot y menos de un dia y medio para la inmunofluorescencia. Debido a que la tecnica de inmunofluorescencia permite la identificacion inequivoca de una o pocas celulas infectadas, es que ensayamos condiciones para diagnosticar al virus IPN desde improntas de peces portadores del virus. Demostramos que los antigenos virales pueden ser facilmente identificados por medio de la tincion directa de improntas de organos de peces con el tamano adecuado.

In the present work the IgE response between male and female mice was compared. Normal and castrated RF mice of both sexes were immunized with 100 micrograms OA in 20 mg aluminum hydroxide gel. Results show that IgE response is lower in male than in female mice when assessed by the PCA test. In spite of this, a similar level of IgE was determined by ELISA. Such sex-related differences were not present in castrated mice. A sex-dependent PCA suppressor factor controlling IgE functional expression during the IgE response is suggested. IgM and/or IgG production was not modified.

Suppression of IgE response induced by phytohemagglutinin (PHA) inoculation near the time of immunization is studied. Donor spleen cells injected with PHA on day -1 before transfer were either depleted from Lyt 1+ or Lyt 2+ T cells and inoculated to isogenic recipients. Animals were immunized with ovalbumin in aluminum hydroxide gel 1 h later. IgE response was determined by passive cutaneous anaphylactic (PCA) reaction and ELISA. Results show that suppression of the IgE response caused by PHA only affects PCA reaction. In contrast, IgE response measured by ELISA is not modified. Depletion of Lyt 1+ T cell abolished the PHA effect. Thus, as a provocative notion, we propose the generation of an IgE suppressor factor which inhibited the PCA reaction. It was present in the sera of treated animals. IgM and/or IgG production was not affected.

Modulation of the IgE response by PHA treatment in relation to animal sex was analysed. Male and female RF mice were immunized with ovalbumin in aluminum hydroxide gel and PHA was injected 1 or 2 days before immunization. Castrated mice were also immunized and received PHA on day -2. The results show that the IgE response is lower in the male than in the female group. An opposite class specific modulation depending on the timing of the PHA inoculation is observed between males and females. This effect is not observed in castrated mice. IgM and/or IgG production is neither modified by sex nor by the mitogen treatment.