La cultura política en el pueblo mapuche: el caso Wallmapuwen

In this article we address indigenous political culture taking as a case of study the Mapuche people. Having carried out a brief overview of the policies applied by the Chilean state, we evaluate those obstacles that have hindered the formation of the Mapuche political party Wallmapuwen. We believe that the formation of a political party by the indigenous people is a means to reconstitute the cultural identity, and in the future, the autonomy of the Mapuche people. At the same time, a revitalization in the collective action will need to have their own particular demands articulated strategically with different social organizations, with and without ethnic affiliation. We affirm, moreover, that ethno-regional parties in Latin America envisage fruitful organizational experiences towards the strengthening of a democratic culture.