The history of Latin American, in particular the country of Argentina, can best be described as unstable. The effects of this instability can be plainly noted throughout the history of the country’s development; frequent shifts in political power, economic crashes, and contending social conflicts all occurred periodically. The volatile state of the country can be attributed to its foundation. As a colony of the Spanish, Argentina was divided between regions via specialized economic and political systems. The division of power between local creole elites and their Spanish rulers led to tensions that accumulated to Argentina's eventual independence from Spain in 1816. Afterwards, Argentina experienced rapid economic development and an expansion
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During the mid 1970s after the death of Juan Peron, who was succeeded by his wife Isabel Peron, Argentina began to experience a series of strikes, inflation, and political crisis. As an inexperienced leader Isabel Peron’s administration was susceptible to corruption and exploitation. In 1976 Argentina’s military overthrew Peron and began a process of “national reorganization” that essentially established a militant authoritarian government. (p.52) This regime created an institutional state of fear within the country by using military, paramilitary and police forces to suppress any opposition. To systematically eliminate all forms of dissent the government created mass incarceration camps where civilians were jailed, tortured, and sometimes executed by militant forces. As many as 30,000 people “disappeared” during the Dirty War, with hundreds more killed during armed confrontations and thousands forced to leave Argentina all together. (p.53) The goal behind these tactics was to eliminate the sources of Argentina’s political and economic instability. The regime stressed de-politicization of society and tried to instill rational and technical ideals into it instead. (class discussion) By loosening the grip of political parties the administration hoped to instill pro-free market values instead of political allegiances based on wealth. They reasoned that a free market could reduce political rivalry based on regulation by the market, instead of the state, to “allocate resources and distribute income” amongst the people. (p.53) However the idea of a self regulating economy could not be achieved by the actions taken by the government. While the regime increased foreign investment into the country and devoted domestic economic groups to export activities it only fueled their motives of creating an authoritarian power structure to control the economy. (Class discussion) The regime also imposed a ban on
During the mid 1970s after the death of Juan Peron, who was succeeded by his wife Isabel Peron, Argentina began to experience a series of strikes, inflation, and political crisis. As an inexperienced leader Isabel Peron’s administration was susceptible to corruption and exploitation. In 1976 Argentina’s military overthrew Peron and began a process of “national reorganization” that essentially established a militant authoritarian government. (p.52) This regime created an institutional state of fear within the country by using military, paramilitary and police forces to suppress any opposition. To systematically eliminate all forms of dissent the government created mass incarceration camps where civilians were jailed, tortured, and sometimes executed by militant forces. As many as 30,000 people “disappeared” during the Dirty War, with hundreds more killed during armed confrontations and thousands forced to leave Argentina all together. (p.53) The goal behind these tactics was to eliminate the sources of Argentina’s political and economic instability. The regime stressed de-politicization of society and tried to instill rational and technical ideals into it instead. (class discussion) By loosening the grip of political parties the administration hoped to instill pro-free market values instead of political allegiances based on wealth. They reasoned that a free market could reduce political rivalry based on regulation by the market, instead of the state, to “allocate resources and distribute income” amongst the people. (p.53) However the idea of a self regulating economy could not be achieved by the actions taken by the government. While the regime increased foreign investment into the country and devoted domestic economic groups to export activities it only fueled their motives of creating an authoritarian power structure to control the economy. (Class discussion) The regime also imposed a ban on