Instituto para una Sociedad Libre: the first gremialista think tank 1982-1991

Abstract

This article studies the Instituto para una Sociedad Libre (ISL) between 1982 and 1991. It proposes that, firstly, this institution was an antecedent of the party Unión Demócrata Independiente (UDI) and its objective was to train gremialistas in a time of crisis. Secondly, it explains that this center has a gremialista approach and party loyalist of the military regime. Thirdly, it suggests that its short existence was due to the economic and political crisis of 1982 and the consequent reorganization of political parties, which gave way to the UDI. Finally, it proposes three stages: A first moment (1982-1983), one between 1985-1988 focused on the training of cadres, and a third stage during 1990 when it provided material to the UDI representatives in the Congress, until 1991 when the Fundación Jaime Guzmán was created.