“The kitchen or the office”. The discussion on renewable energies in decision-making spaces in Chile and the participation of rural inhabitants in them. A critique of the current neoliberal citizenship model

Abstract

The democratic system in Chile establishes the priority of legislative action to the presidential initiative. At the same time, the parliament maintains its role of co-legislator and overseer of public action, representing the inhabitants of its districts in the legislative debate. During the last decade, the State has promoted an active energy infrastructure policy, resulting in the O`Higgins region and its rural areas concentrating the most significant percentage of photovoltaic park projects. This article reviews the Lobby Law hearings and sessions of the Mining and Energy Legislative Commission (2014-2020) to argue that the legislative and policy process lacks a territorial perspective, excluding the voices of rural inhabitants and organizations. It highlights the disconnection between rural habitation and policy formulation, fostering fragmented and clientelist citizenship in these spaces.