Chile

Abstract

This chapter examines speech participation in the Chilean Chamber of Deputies. It discusses the rules structuring speech participation, the impact of electoral incentives, and the country’s party system. The empirical analysis examines all speeches delivered on the floor of the Chamber of Deputies between 2006 and 2018. We find that being in the opposition increases the likelihood of delivering a speech and that legislators from more remote districts deliver more speeches than members whose districts are closer to the main metropolitan area of the country. Relevant differences between those on the right and those on the left are also present. There is no evidence—when looking at all speeches delivered without distinguishing between the type of speech or stage of the chamber’s session—that party leaders or committee chairs speak more often than other legislators or that men speak more often than women.