This study conceptualise the political cultures of the Chilean Socialist Party to explain the nomination of Michelle Bachelet as presidential candidate in 2005. Political culture is defined as a collective framework for action (Elkin, 1993). It is formed by patterns for participation which drive internal power relations. This conceptualisation links structure and agency in a way that analyse inter-party power relationships and agency. I argue that the party has had two political cultures whose relative balance of power has shifted over time. The first culture is named institutional pattern while the second culture is named practice pattern. Bachelet’s persona brings together these two cultures. The first institutional pattern played to an idea that her candidacy represented pluralism and democracy. However, as a faction leader (mandataria) she reinforced the elitist and hegemonic 'practice pattern', which resulted in strong disciplinary relationships coming from the faction’s elite in order to secure her nomination.
