Argentina

1. Argentina

2. 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%.)

3. 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). The Argentine Republic

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. Military and Politics • In 1930s military begins a process of modernization and professionalization. • Divided on best political leadership for Argentina: • Different factions supported: oligarchy, semi-fascism, corporatism (hierarchical order based on function), became convinced it was best qualified to run government.

9. 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).

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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. • Turns on supporters • Erratic changes in Cabinet • Economy out of control • Revolutionaries unchecked • Removed by coup in 1976 • military allowed the situation to worsen.

14. 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.

15. Democratic Transition • 1983 elections Raul Alfonsin (UCR) Radical Party leader wins. (6 year term) • Disappeared • Economic stabilization • Civilian control of armed forces • Consolidating democratic institutions • Economic stabilization package less than successful – leaves office 6 months early.

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. 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.

19. President(s) • April 27, 2003 first round presidential elections: • 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

20. 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.

21. Kirchner • 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.