THE CASE STUDY EXAMINES HOW THE MAJOR POLITICAL PARTIES OF THE MIDDLE AND UPPER CLASSES IN CHILE AND THEIR SUPPORTERS ENGAGED IN ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES AIMED AT DESTROYING THE ELECTED GOVERNMENT. THE ACTS OF VIOLENCE PERPETRATED BY THESE GROUPS RANGED FROM POLITICAL ASSASSINATION TO BOYCOTTS AND CULMINATED IN THE VIOLENT SEIZURE OF POWER BY THE MILITARY, WHICH WAS PUBLICLY ENDORSED BY ALL MAJOR BOURGEOIS PARTIES AND PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS. THE TYPES OF CRIMINAL ACTIONS UNDERTAKEN IN CHILE, THEIR PERPETRATORS, AND THEIR IMPACT ARE REVIEWED. THESE INCLUDE POLITICAL ASSASSINATIONS, ASSAULTS ON PERSONS AND PROPERTY, FORMATION OF ILLEGAL PARAMILITARY ORGANIZATIONS, LOCKOUTS, SPECULATION AND BLACK MARKET TRANSACTIONS, SABOTAGE OF PRODUCTION, RIOTS, AND MOB RULE. THE ROLE PLAYED BY THE UNITED STATES IN PROMOTING ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES IN CHILE IS NOTED. A THEORY WITH REGARD TO THE GROWTH IN UPPER AND MIDDLE CLASS CRIMINALITY ASSOCIATED WITH TRANSITION FROM CAPITALISM TO SOCIALISM IS DEVELOPED ON THE BASIS OF THE CHILE EXPERIENCE. EVIDENCE OF THE SCOPE AND DEPTH OF BOURGEOIS ABUSE OF THE LAW IS SAID TO SUGGEST THAT LEGAL, PIECEMEAL, PEACEFUL TRANSITION FROM CAPITALISM TO SOCIALISM IS IMPOSSIBLE.