This article aims at discussing the key elements of Critical Theory for the analysis of power relations in today's Chile. The discussion focuses on the relation between dominant and dominated ones, in the territorial administration structure of the State of Chile. Methodologically, an analysis of main assumptions prepared by the authors of Critical Theory is conducted, in order to contrast them with practical elements of the process of political and administrative decentralization of the Chilean State. We think through the structural State reforms implemented in the 1980s and whether they have brought along changes in power relations. The core of debate with the theory are the State modernization policies, focusing on the decentralization of political and administrative power, which have been developed over the past 30 years through new forms of regional and local government. These new government instances have allowed, directly or indirectly, the participation of citizenship in actions taken by government and public management. However, this article concludes, both from the theoretical and practical perspectives, that the domination rationales and forms of the Chilean State have been kept unchanged; moreover, they have been improved through the creation of decentralized power agencies. Territorial conflicts remain, the center-region relation constitutes a top-bottom domination. Therefore, this puts into question that State modernization policies, grounded in decentralization process, allow changing power relations between dominant and dominated ones.
Critical Theory; Domination; State; Decentralization; Bourgeoisie.
