Argentina is an interesting case.
See, at the end of the 19th century it was the richest country on the planet, that is,
it was richer than the United States, Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom, even when it
was at the peak of the British Empire.
By the middle of the 20th century the country had already gone down a few positions but...
it still remained one of the 10 richest and most prosperous countries in the world.
Today, however, it’s not even in the top 60.
How can a country suffer such a dramatic decline?
Well, it may have something to do with the fact that since the 40s, roughly speaking,
Argentina has only known two political movements: military and Peronism.
In a past video, here on VISUALPOLITIK we talked about the origins of Peronism, we saw
how Juan Domingo Perón came to power, what his political approach was and how in 1955
he was overthrown by a new coup d'état.
Now, what happened after the coup?
What happened to Argentina?
How did Peronism evolve?
And perhaps, most importantly, what does it mean?
What is Peronism today?
Listen up.
(FRONT COVER)
In 1955 there were two coups d'etat against Juan Domingo Perón’s government:
in the first, which proved unsuccessful, the Argentine Navy bombarded the Plaza de Mayo
in an attempt to end the President's life.
("Those present were surprised by the presence of planes that according to the official version
would fly to pay homage to the libertarian.")
The second, just a few months later, in September 1955, did not fail…
("Thousands and thousands of voices demand the presence of General Lonardi and the high
chiefs on the balconies of the Governmental House.
Emotion could not be contained when they appear before the people.")
Perón had to go into exile, first in Venezuela, then in Panama and finally in Francisco Franco's
Spain.
When the new government arrived, proclaiming the "Liberating Revolution", Peronism was
literally outlawed.
Everything, absolutely everything that had to do with the Peronist image... the marches,
the symbols, the hymns, the names...
everything was prohibited by the military government.
("There are no losers or winners, only a people moving towards their legitimate traditions.")
In just 2 years, this "liberating revolution" dismantled every Peronist structure before
convoking new elections.
They even changed the constitution again to re-establish the one from 1853... although
they did add article 14 bis, which introduced almost all the social and interventionist
measures that Perón had established…
But...
The truth is that history is hard to forget.
By forbidding everything that had to do with Peronism, in a way, the military government
turned him into a kind of myth.
The fact is that in the following democratic elections in 58, President Arturo Frondizi
was elected... a politician who tried to turn Argentina around and reopen it to the world,
which is precisely what made the country one of the richest in the world.
But... just a moment… because despite the good economic results... he had to face the
Peronist unions and the military...
who had of course, already gotten used to playing with Argentina as they wished...
Because once the military boot is used, it’s very hard to suppress the temptation to use
it again and again.
The fact is that a few years later the military demanded the resignation of the democratic
president Frondizi.
Why?
Well, because they felt like it
Is that not reason enough?
And when the president didn’t accept...
What do you think the Argentine military did?
Use weapons to depose and imprison him.
The fact is that little by little the atmosphere became increasingly tense and Peronists themselves
were mobilizing more and more, demanding Peron’s return.
There were elections and a very fragile government... the result?
The military made another coup d'etat... although they gave it another poetic name... a matter
of style, you know...
In this case they called it the "Argentine revolution" led by this guy you’re seeing,
General Juan Carlos Onganía.
("I, Juan Carlos Onganía swear by God our Lord and the holy Gospels, to play my role
as President of the nation with loyalty and patriotism.”)
And this was the beginning of a very tense period… because in addition to the dictatorship,
there was a cold war in the international context… and in Latin America that generally
meant struggles between leftist guerrillas and military governments.
And Argentina was no exception.
Yes, I think we can say that the 60s, 70s and 80s were terrible, terrible for all of
Latin America.
In the following years, guerrilla and terrorist groups began to emerge throughout Argentina,
such as the Montoneros, the Revolutionary People's Army and the People's Armed Forces.
And check this out, because Perón himself... had taken a strategic turn to the left and
was now encouraging these types of movements... from his home in Madrid.
Which of course was located in Puerta de Hierro, one of the most expensive areas of the Spanish
capital.
The fact is that between the bad economic situation and the attacks, there was such
a huge amount of discontent that the military regime was forced to call elections in March
of 73.
Although they, of course, left Perón out under the excuse that he didn’t live in
Argentina...
But my friends, that ultimately didn’t matter.
In September 1973 new elections were held and this time yes...
Juan Domingo Perón was elected president...
with, check this out, his wife, Isabel Martínez de Perón, as Vice President.
It was easier that way, everything stayed in the family.
The President-Vice President tandem won them an overwhelming victory, with approximately
60% of the votes.
But my friends...
just a moment, because it wouldn’t be that easy.
Listen up.
(THE RETURN)
One thing needs to be clear: there is an unwritten law in politics.
Opposition is one thing, and government, another very different one.
And that law certainly applied to Juan Domingo Perón.
See, as we mentioned before, during his time in exile, he became a point of reference for
every opponent of the dictatorship, both on the left and right.
But of course...
this friendship between the extremes, once the dictatorship fell, was doomed to fall
not long after.
And that, my friends, is precisely what happened... and in a very violent way too.
The situation got out of hand.
the leftist guerrilla groups continued to attack civilians, politicians, businessmen
and the military.
Peron was no longer enough…
they wanted a "popular revolution"
Well, at least that's what they called it…
And the Peronist government responded by promoting the creation, listen to this... of a paramilitary
group known as the triple A, Anti-communist Argentinian Association.
The result of all this mix… you can imagine it: tension, fear, confrontations and disappearances...
and, if that weren’t enough, the economy also went from bad to worse.
So, Peron’s return was becoming quite a mess… and it didn’t even last that long…
because on July 1, 1974 Juan Domingo Perón’s days came to an end... and he left behind
a terrible….
Terrible legacy.
In 1975, the war between Peronists under a Peronist government was at its peak and the
economic crisis led to a brutal devaluation that left the peso in tatters.
With this panorama... you can imagine what followed...
Exactly!
A new coup d'état... and not just by anyone.
The darkest period in Argentine history began on March 24, 1976: the Military Junta [hoonta]
government rose to power, led by Jorge [horhe] Rafael Videla… whose period leading Argentina
was characterized by the permanent violation of individual rights.
("The definitive closing of a historical cycle and the opening of a new one whose fundamental
characteristic will focus on the task of reorganizing the nation".)
This Military Junta [hoonta] left behind terrible numbers; more than 10,000 disappeared and
thousands and thousands became political prisoners.
But, my friends, just a moment because if you think that Peronism was dead this time,
you’re very, very wrong.
(A NEW RISE)
After the dark and terrible period of the Military Junta [hoonta]... democracy returned
to Argentina in 1983.
("Compatriots, today begins a new era for Argentina.")
At that time, the Peronists were dismantled and a new president was elected...
Raúl Alfonsín... whom the Argentines remembered above all for the hyperinflation that occurred
under his rule:
("Many years of dictatorship in the country prevented us from learning the lesson of what
it means to govern in Argentina.
I apologize to all for my mistakes, but rest assured that there is an Argentine passion
that drives me.")
Inflation soared over 80% per month
Yes, that’s what happens when you just run the bill printing machine.
And on top of that, both the military – again – and the Peronist unions decided to make
this government inoperable... the strikes were endless.
So... once they were reorganized, you know what?
The Peronists returned...
this time under the leadership of Carlos Saúl Menem.
And...
Surprise!
("I come to summon you, to wage the battle against the privileges, the vested interests,
the infinite ambition of the speculators")
The new president, after two terrible first years, took a 180-degree turn... and launched
policies that were completely unexpected for a Peronist government:
He brought a wave of privatizations, liberalized the economy and trade and even achieved monetary
stability by introducing the 1 to 1 peso-US dollar exchange rate.
Foreign investments began to arrive, trade grew and the Argentines were again prospering
and feeling like they could rise up in the world again.
But, my friends, President Menem did not do one thing – President Macrí, take note
– he did not reduce public spending.
On the contrary...
public spending skyrocketed...
as well as corruption and waste of all kinds.
And what’s more…
since things were going smoothly, the reforms weren’t completed...
leaving Argentina with an overvalued currency, a huge public expenditure, many imports and...
a ton of debt…
I think you know what happened… in 1999 the opposition took over… but it was too
late… the crisis peaked in 2001, Argentina defaulted and the Argentines suffered the
very famous “corralito”.
Under this situation...
in 2003... you guessed it, Peronists returned to power.
The Peronists’ ability to wriggle out of the line of fault and blame others is highly
admirable.
They’ve almost always been in government... but apparently they’ve never been to blame
for anything.
But do you know who came to power?
Right... the Kirchners.
Peronists with the same policies as always...
only this time very much more inclined to the left.
During their years in the Casa Rosada, the Argentine White House, they restricted imports,
multiplied public spending, inflation, taxes and debt.
If you want to know more, keep your eyes on this video.
But my friends, just a moment, because before we finish we have one last question... a very,
very important one.
(WHAT’S PERONISM?)
What is Peronism?
How has it managed to be almost hegemonic in Argentina despite the fact that it’s
had quite terrible results?
These are the truly important questions.
Well, my friends...
I think that taking history into account, we can say that Peronism more than a political
party is a movement with two essential pillars: excessive interventionism and public spending.
"Peronism always came to fix, to fix injustice, restore dignity."
The secret of their political success has had a lot to do with this... every time Argentina
had a problem, the Peronists promised more and more public spending...
all of course financed with the populist politicians’ favorite instrument: the bill printing machine.
Under the excuse of political sovereignty, economic independence and social justice – the
three bases established by Juan Domingo Perón – Peronists have ended up making Argentina
a country that is closed to the world, that has long-term monstrous inflation and practically
lives in a permanent crisis.
Isn’t it time to find another way?
Now it’s your turn… from 1 to 5, what is your degree of confidence in Argentina’s
future?
Leave your answer in the comments as well as in the survey.
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Also, don’t forget to check out our friends at the Reconsider Media Podcast - they provided
the vocals in this episode that were not mine!
And as always, thanks for watching!