Industrial paternalism and cultural disciplining in the festive world of the Chilean coal-mining towns: Lota, 1920-1950

Abstract

This article analyzes the cultural disciplining process that took place in the coal mining town of Lota in the context of the industrial paternalism policies emerged from the Lota Coal Company's welfare department. For this purpose, we study the control over parties where alcohol consumption was unrestricted and stimuli awarded for sober and civic celebration of the National Independence Holidays as moments that united the community, integrating it to the idea of patriotism and work commitment that would result in the wellbeing of the workers and the company.