Legislative careers and parliamentary institutionalization in Chile (1811-2018)

This paper analyzes the legislative careers of deputies and senators in Chile between 1811 and 2018 and how the Chilean Congress has become more institutionalized over that same period. Drawing on data from the National Congress’s Library website, we systematized bibliographic information of 4,013 legislators over a 200-year period. We use survival analysis techniques to assess members of Congress’ duration in office and how legislators’ career paths have stabilized over time. Along with parliamentary career stabilization, the Chilean Congress has gradually move towards higher levels of institutionalization. These two intertwined processes have strengthened Congress’ influence in Chilean politics, which has led to an increasingly more constrained chief executive, which is clearly illustrated during the post-Pinochet era. Keywords: parliamentary careers, congressional institutionalization, presidential power, Chile.