Socialism in Argentina

Early socialist thought, began with the ideals of Esteban Echeverria in the early 19th Century, who led the May Association, a political group which opposed the then current dictator Juan Manuel de Rosas. Echeverria's ideals of socialism then were premised on the idea of equal rights to eradicate poverty. He wrote many works significant for the movement, including "El Dogma Socialista" (The Socialist Dogma) and would influence the coming generations socialist thought. Although Echeverria's work was significant for the movement, the starting point of Socialism in Argentina is considered to be a little later and in the hands of Echeverria's contemporaries.

The ignition of Socialism in Argentina had many significant socialist thinkers such as Juan B. Justo and Nicolas Repetto. Although this thought existed, Socialism in Argentina started in the 1890s with the formation of the 'Socialist Party" in 1896.[3] The party was formed on the basis that there was a greater need for 'social focus'.[2] The leader of this group, Juan B. Justo saw this absence and with Nicolas Repetto they led the party. In 1904, Alfredo Palacios a member of the Socialist party was to become the first socialist deputy in Argentina.

Argentina during WW-I didn't experience the same hardships as other Latin American nations, in part due to their leadership by President Hipólito Yrigoyen. This hallmark election ended the period of conservative powers holding power. After WWI, there was a large anarchist movement in which many emigrants from Europe arrived in Argentina.[4] This arrival of immigrants catalysed a new brand of left-wing activism.[2] In particular, there was a rejection of the previous Socialist way in which Argentina was run, and a movement towards anarchism. This period brought much unrest, and conflict surrounding what ideology would best frame the nation of Argentina. Acts of violence such as the attempted assassination of U.S. President Herbert Hoover in 1928.[5]

In 1922 with the rise of The Argentina Right, the works of Marcelino Menendez played a large role in influencing their philosophies and ideas.[6] Also in this year, the famous speech titles "the time of the sword" was delivered to future dictator Agustin P. Justo. The main premise of the speech was its call for a coup d'état and the replacement of the political system with military dictatorship.[6]

This era known as the "infamous decade" has attracted great attention for its ideological, social and political dimensions.[7] The military coup in 1930 forced Hipólito Yrigoyen from presidency, and emplaced José Félix Uriburu.[7] Uriburu was overthrown by Jose. After gaining presidency, Uriburu made efforts to institute reform through incorporating corporatism to the Argentina Constitution, which was seen as a move towards fascism.[7] This move split alliances, and resulted in support shifting towards Agustin P. Justo.[8] Justo took a different political stance, starting a policy of liberal economic moves that primarily benefitted the nation's upper classes and permitted great political and industrial corruption at the expense of national growth.[8] One of the most infamous decisions of Justo's government was the creation of the Roca–Runciman Treaty between Argentina and the United Kingdom, which benefitted the British economy and the rich beef producers of Argentina.[8] This was a decade of great unrest, and conflicting political, philosophical and social ideology.

Juan Perón

During the Post World War-II world Socialism in Argentina was largely informed by the brand of socialism that newly elected president Juan Domingo Perón would institute. Right wing Socialist thought implicated the movement in many ways. A strong reform on wage and price controls amongst the seizing of private property for the government were among those methods employed by Peron.[9] He acted out this socialist ideals with little resistance from parliament and society. Peron used wartime reserves to aid the finance of ‘Peronist extravagance’, however the money ran dry come 1950. The ensuing economic stagnation was combated by Peron's aggressive socialist Five Year Plans, which essentially sought to favour agriculture over industry.

In 1955 Socialism in Argentina would then take a different form with the ousting of Peron by military coup.[2] However, the economic upheaval caused by the Socialist reform of Peron prevented the economic growth experienced throughout most of the world during the 1950s and ‘60s.[2] The Government continued to implement Peronist socialism to little effect. Immense debt amongst the continued economic decline followed in the wake of Perons’ socialist reforms, and inflation continued to grow.[2] This unease grew to a boiling point in the 1970s, with a communist uprising.[2] Socialism however, would change drastically in its effect and institution during this period.

The anti communist sentiments of the Cold War had vast implications on Socialism in Argentina in the form of Operation Condor. To be a socialist in Argentina, and in Latin America more broadly, was very dangerous. The regime's sentiment to combat the growing communist ideology in Latin America was dealt with the infamous disappearances. The initiative was employed to target those who were proponents of socialist or marxist thought, and with Argentina's history with the ideology this saw the number of missing or killed people total 30 000.[10] In this way, many people were branded with the title ‘socialist’, and even vague evidence could see the victims' ‘disappearance.’[11] Particularly the politically active were targeted, students, writers and Peronist guerillas. This period of state terrorism changed how Argentines viewed socialism, and in many ways subdued the movement. This period is also considered one of the most infamous in regards to Socialism in Argentina and for many people is what comes to mind upon hearing about the ideology. More recently this era has had much attention drawn to it. The modern developments in the forms of trials and declassification of documents have brought to the forefront the movement for Socialism in Argentina and its correspondent retaliations. The amalgamation of the Popular socialist party and the Argentine socialist party in 1972 marked a significant moment historically for the parties. In 1989 the party would win the majority in Rosario.

Socialism in Argentina changed with the election of Carlos Menem in 1989. The role of the state would drastically change, with extensive structural reform. Menem was a Peronist, and employed methods of privatisation as a means to reduce hyperinflation.

Néstor Kirchner and Cristina Fernández de Kirchner

Both the role and history of socialism in Argentina have played a significant role in forming the identity of the nation in the world. As seen, the changing historical backdrop has influenced the current of the movement. Particularly, the recent Kirchner leaderships have informed the movement for socialism visible today in Argentina in many ways. The Nestor Kirchner leadership, invoked a brand of socialism that saw his implementation of price controls and nationalisation of private assets. Kirchner further worked to restructure the public debt problem of Argentina. In many ways, he continued the ideological legacy of Peron, and similarly to Peron's demise was met with Argentina default in 2014. Mauricio Macri the current president of Argentina has recently employed similar Peronist-style policies to reduce the problem of inflation.[2] Namely, price controls on over 60 items including rice and milk.[12] Argentina's ideological landscape is beginning to change, with Macri's election there are still some prominent Peronist practises remaining. However, as a whole the populist movement in Argentina can be seen as diminishing, and perhaps a shift away from socialist tendencies.

Socialism in Argentina has taken many different forms with a changing socio-political landscape, and changing leaders. The movement started as a desire for greater ‘social focus’ but has since grown to embody a more extensive set of methods and practise. The Peron leadership has in many ways informed Argentina's socialist identity. On the contrary, the antithesis to this movement, Operation Condor instituted a rigorous regime which juxtaposed that political environment with a reinforced brand of neoliberalism. The extensive, and far reaching scholarly material on the subject underscores the significance of the movement.