Argentina
Argentina~Background Information
• Official Name: The Argentine
Republic
• Population (2001): 36.02 million
• Ethnic Groups: European 85%,
mostly of Spanish or Italian
descent. Mestizo, Armerindian or
other non-white groups15%
• Religion: 92% Roman Catholic,
Protestant 2%, other 4%.
• Language: Spanish
• Education 10 years compulsory
(Adult Literacy (2001) 97%.)
The Argentine Republic
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2.8 million sq. miles
36.02 million pop.
GDP $263 billion
Per capita: $7,400
Growth: -4.5%
• Presidential democracy
– Nestor Kirchner
• Bicameral Congress
– Senate (72)
– Chamber of Deputies
(257)
• Judiciary: Supreme
Court
• Administrative
subdivisions: 23
provinces, one federal
district (Buenos Aires).
People
• Descendants of Italian and Spanish
immigrants.
• Overwhelmingly Catholic with largest
Jewish population in South America.
• Indigenous population mainly in northern
provinces.
• Majority of the population urbanized, half
considers itself middle class.
History
• 1516 Juan Diaz de Solias visits area of
contemporary Argentina.
• Spanish colony est. 1580 at site of Buenos Aires
which becomes an important port.
• 1816 independence declared – San Martin most
important leader of the movement.
• Post Spanish defeat civil conflict over future.
• 1853 Constitution promulgated.
Argentine Politics: Conflict and
Charisma
• Conservatives and Radicals were the dominant
factions in Argentine politics from independence.
– Conservatives – elite controlled, hierarchically
ordered political system (ex: limited suffrage).
– Radicals – fair elections/democratic institutions
(Union Civica Radical)
• Juan Peron emerges on national scene in
military coup of 1943.
• Peron wins election 1946.
Military and Politics
• In 1930s military begins a process of
modernization and professionalization.
• Divided on best political leadership for
Argentina:
– Different factions supported: oligarchy, semifascism, corporatism (hierarchical order
based on function), became convinced it was
best qualified to run government.
1940s
• Antipathy to Allied powers.
• Argentine military views neutrality as good
for the economy.
• Military impatient with corrupt,
disorganized civilian politics.
• Class consciousness emerges among
workers (military sympathetic).
Peronism
• Corporatism with a difference
– Base is the working class, industrialists, military
– An interventionist role for the state in the economy
• Populist message: promised promoting Argentine
solutions while channeling material and
psychological rewards to workers (previously
denied).
– Increased minimum wages
– Encouraged strikes, stepped in to settle in favor of
workers.
– Reduced foreign influence in the economy
– Nationalized railroads (GB constructed).
– Initial results: 1946-50 GDP grew 5-12% annually.
Post-Peron
• Peron exiled in 1955
– Growing class conflict
– Death of Evita (1953)
– Loss of control (especially anti-clericalism)
• Military stewardship until 1958
– Not effective in reversing economic decline
– Political parties divided (strong anti-Peron)
• 1958-62 transition, Frondizi administration
– IMF program adopted: 25% cut in worker wages, 97%
increase in income to beef industry – emphasis
reversed from workers to capitalists.
• 1966 military intervenes determined to restructure
Argentine society.
Military in Government
• Unable to successfully restructure
economy
• Opposition develops
• Clandestine torture, kidnapping on part of
military – opposition groups engage in
terror tactics.
• Peron influencing system from (30 yr)
exile. Returns to power in 1973 elections
via Hector Campora a stand-in candidate.
Onset of Dirty War
• Peron and wife Isabel run as President/VP in
1973 (new elections).
• Peron ticket wins – Peron dies in 1974.
• Isabel unable to control the government.
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Turns on supporters
Erratic changes in Cabinet
Economy out of control
Revolutionaries unchecked
• Removed by coup in 1976
– military allowed the situation to worsen.
The Dirty War
• 1976-1980 (82) 10,000-30,000 disappeared.
• Shows the ability of a well equipped government
to put down guerrilla movements.
• Military goal was to fundamentally alter nature of
Argentine society.
• Military expanded beyond government to social
arenas (sports/charitable organizations).
• Falkland/Malvinas conflict discredits military.
Democratic Transition
• 1983 elections Raul Alfonsin (UCR) Radical
Party leader wins. (6 year term)
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Disappeared
Economic stabilization
Civilian control of armed forces
Consolidating democratic institutions
– Economic stabilization package less than successful
– leaves office 6 months early.
Carlos Menem
• Peronist-Justicialist (Justicialist) Party
• 1989 presidential election winner
• Reversed the role of the state in Argentine
economy (privatization).
• Imposes peso-dollar parity.
• Continued with efforts to resolve “los
desaparacedos” situation.
• 1995 wins re-election.
• Large public sector debt problematic in
eyes of international financial community.
Fernando De la Rua
• Radical Party candidate wins presidential election
in 1999.
• Raises taxes in attempt to deal with debt situation
– chokes off domestic growth..intensifying the recession.
– Economy tailspins inflation skyrockets, growth at a stop,
government stops citizen access to banked monies.
– Peso-dollar convertibility stops inflation but makes peso
less competitive in export environment.
– Chronic deficit made worse by continued IMF loaning
• Asian financial crisis 98 – capital outflow – panic
11/01
• Riots – violence – De la Rua resigns in December
2001.
President(s)
• The Legislative Assembly moved to replace De
la Rua with an interim and scheduled elections
for within three months.
• December 23-30, 2001 – Adolfo Rodriguez Saa
– Continued violence, lack of support led to his 12/30
resignation.
• January 1, 2002 – Eduardo Duhalde
– Rising poverty, continued social unrest – government
response has been to increase social programs;
continue efforts at economic stabilization.
President(s)
• April 27, 2003 first round presidential elections:
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Menem (PJ) 24.3% of vote
Nestor Kirchner (PJ) 22%
Ricardo Murphy 16.4%
Elisa Carrio 14.2%
• Menem withdraws before runoff May 25 (polling
shows overwhelming support for Kirchner).
• Kirchner takes office May 25, 2003
Personalism vs Institutionalism
• Argentina’s political history is dominated by
personalities.
• Institutional strength vis-à-vis individuals or
organizations, such as the military is increasing but
has not yet fully emerged.
• Military remains independent of the civilian political
system as opposed to subordinate to civilian rule.
• Military does appear to be out of crisis political
decisions – but is this because of institutional
change or merely because it chooses to remain
outside of these processes?
• Economic growth/stability still not systematic.
Kirchner
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Was Santa Cruz governor.
Peronist-Justicialist Party.
Wife is Senator Christina Fernandez de Kirchner
Focused on increasing support beyond 22% in
April 03 election.
• Terms are 4 years and limited to one re-election.
• Reforms include social efforts such as
increasing the minimum wage, pensions, some
governmental salaries.
• Economic reforms include continuing.