Pedro Aguirre Cerda - To govern is to educate

Pedro Aguirre Cerda was born on February 6, 1879, in the Pocuro sector in the town of Calle Larga, in the Province of Los Andes, V Region of Valparaíso. Son of farmers Juan Bautista Aguirre and Margarita Cerda, from a very young age he showed a great inclination for study and education. He graduated as a professor of Spanish and philosophy at the University of Chile in 1900 and as a lawyer from the same university four years later. He was a professor of Civic Education, Spanish and Philosophy at the Army Non-Commissioned Officers School, at the Barros Borgoño High School and at the National Institute.

Throughout his early career, Pedro Aguirre Cerda worked as a lawyer and was involved with various political and social sectors in the country. He was a man deeply interested in education, social policy and the economic development of Chile. Throughout his life, he maintained a commitment to "social justice" and the well-being of the most disadvantaged, which led him to join the Radical Party and later, in 1906, Freemasonry.

He ran as a candidate in the parliamentary elections of 1915, and was elected deputy for the departments of San Felipe, Putaendo and Los Andes, for the legislative period 1915-1918.5 During his administration, he was a member of the Permanent Finance Commission. Once in Congress, he was especially concerned with the founding of schools in urban and rural areas.

During his time as a deputy, Aguirre Cerda also distinguished himself for his ability to make alliances and for his political pragmatism, which helped him gain influence within the Radical Party, which he joined. However, it was during his term as President of the Republic that Pedro Aguirre Cerda achieved the greatest notoriety, by implementing a series of transcendental reforms for the country.

In 1938, he was elected President of Chile under the coalition known as the "Popular Front", an alliance of left-wing parties that sought to address the country's growing social and political tensions, as well as the economic crisis of the Great Depression that was affecting Chile and the rest of the world. His presidency marked a milestone in the country's history, as Aguirre Cerda implemented a series of social and economic reforms that had a profound impact on Chilean society.

One of his most notable initiatives was the creation of the Corporation for the Promotion of Production (CORFO) in 1939, a state agency aimed at promoting the industrialization of the country and reducing its dependence on primary exports, especially copper. Through CORFO, Aguirre Cerda promoted the creation of factories and the diversification of the economy, placing emphasis on the development of Chile's industrial and technological infrastructure. This project represented a modern and progressive vision of the State, which was to actively intervene in the economy to promote development and reduce social inequality.

Furthermore, his government was instrumental in strengthening the education system. He increased the construction of schools in rural areas, promoted technical and vocational education, and sought an expansion of public education as a fundamental tool for social progress. This reformist approach to education was one of the main characteristics of his mandate, as he believed that only through education could true equity be achieved in Chilean society.

Aguirre Cerda also implemented progressive labor policies. During his administration, pro-worker legislation was passed, working conditions were improved, and the creation of unions was promoted, as part of a process of social modernization that sought to reduce poverty and inequality. His government supported unionization and promoted policies in favor of labor rights, with the aim of improving the living conditions of the Chilean working classes.

On the international level, Pedro Aguirre Cerda's government stood out for its foreign policy of rapprochement with Latin American countries, in a context of growing international tension due to the expansion of fascism and communism in Europe. Aguirre Cerda promoted a policy of active neutrality in the face of international conflicts, but also of defence of national sovereignty, which allowed him to maintain a balanced stance in a time of great geopolitical uncertainty.

However, his term in office was marked by health problems. Aguirre Cerda suffered from a chronic lung disease, which worsened throughout his presidency. In 1941, his health seriously deteriorated, and on November 25 of that year, Pedro Aguirre Cerda died at the age of 62, while in office. His death left a void in Chilean politics, as his reformist vision and commitment to social welfare were key to the country's development at that time.

Pedro Aguirre Cerda is remembered as one of the great presidents of Chile in the 20th century, particularly for his progressive approach and his concern for the working classes. His figure continues to be honoured in the collective memory of the country, and various institutions, such as the Bernardo O'Higgins Military School and the Corporation for the Promotion of Production (CORFO), bear his name as a testament to his influence on Chilean history. Furthermore, his legacy as a reformer and defender of social justice remains a reference for later generations.