When it became evident that the economy was in a recession in 1975, a window of opportunity for a radical neoliberal transformation opened. First, decision-making powers were further concentrated in Pinochet's hands. He had disempowered the air force and continued purging civil and military officials who were opposed to a radical “shock treatment” approach. The analytical and educational work of the neoliberal economists around Pinochet had apparently borne fruit: Pinochet became convinced that only a radical shock treatment could effectively counter the ongoing crisis. Several sources point to a significant role of MPS members, and Milton Friedman in particular, in providing legitimacy for a radical program of neoliberal shock therapy. Friedman met Pinochet during his first visit to Chile at the end of 1974, and the personal meeting was followed up by an exchange of letters. Friedman recommended a radical program centered on severe budget cuts, monetary reform, and free trade. Pinochet pointed out that much of what Friedman had recommended was part of the national recovery plan proposed by his treasury secretary, Jorge Cauas, who was to become “super minister” in charge of the stability program (Friedman and Friedman 1998, 594). Friedman's trip was funded by Javier Vial, the head of the BHC (Banco Hipotecario de Chile) group, which was close to the Chicago economists (Delano and Traslaviña 1989, 39; González-Rossetti, Chuaqui, and Espinosa 2000, 37).

Philip Mirowski & Dieter Plehwe (eds.), The Road from Mont Pèlerin, loc. 1574