For research - Argentine Politics 101

[esllou]

I'm writing a story which has two characters of different political extremes and need to get their "voice" correct.

My idea is that one is hardcore Peronista and the other is the type of person who would be quite happy to see the military back in power. For starters, are those mutually exclusive political positions to hold?? (sorry, bit ignorant here )

so let's take these two people and see what they might think about these things:

• the 2001 crisis (who would these two figures blame?)
• the malvinas situation
• the presence of mercosur immigrants
• the current dollar/inflation situation
• the overall fall of argentina from one of richest countries in world to their current state

on these topics, what would each of these characters say/think - in a very generic, stereotypical fashion.

as an example, I'm from the UK and if we took a typical labour and conservative politician, they might say of Europe:

conservative: we've given away too much power to Brussels. The UK has to take back the sovereignty that it's given away. Thank god we didn't join the Euro, the pound must remain, blah blah blah

labour (well, new labour, old labour could be pretty anti-europe when they wanted to be...) we're stronger together, we must be at the heart of europe, if not, decisions will be taken without our input, paranoia about european superstate is unfounded, blah blah blah

that's just to give you an idea of what type of info I'm looking for on argentine politics.

happy for expats and locals to educate me.

 

[Bajo_cero2]

This is a lot more complicated.

To be Peronista is an like an empty box where you can put whatever inside. For example, during 3er Peron s government Montoneros (socialist guerrilla), pure peronistas (an economy with a social agreement where 50% of the welth is for companies and 50% for hard hats) and extreme right (Unions and AAA) were all peronistas.

Historically the difference was between Peronistas and "Gorilas" who were all the anti-peronistas (also left, center and right).

• the 2001 crisis (who would these two figures blame?)

Everybody, people wanted a different way to do politics. To blame? specially the radical party (de la Rua) and the Frepaso (Lilita), both parties almost disapeared since then.

• the malvinas situation

Everybody agrees about this issue no matter if they are extreme right or extreme left.

• the presence of mercosur immigrants

Only nazi factions really are against it: Videla (genocidal), Pati (genocidal), Aldo Rico (former military insurection leader), well, also Macri...

• the current dollar/inflation situation

Welcome to Argentina. We are happy with this situation because we realize that while the US and Europe are colapsing we have just 20% of inflacion. This is not Sweden.

• the overall fall of argentina from one of richest countries in world to their current state

Well, Argentina choose the wrong allies during WWII. Even this is more complex, I think that from left to right all agree that the US boycot our economy for decades. It is known as the triangulacion, even this sounds as conspiracy theory, they open the clasified files some years ago and it was true.

So, as I mentioned, it is more complex.

I think that first you should understand a little more about our history:
The aristocracy created this country, after over 5o years of civil war finally they got peace and they defeated the Indians. They got a huge country with no population. So, they enacted the most open immigration policy in the world. The plan worked out and we had the biggest and fastest economy growth in human history. But, they enacted Ley Saenz Peña and they give political rights to all men over 18 years old. The conervative party never won an election again.
The radical party won.
Since 1930 up to 1983, the conservatives used brutal force to get to power.
Peron in fact, was the labor minister of one of this dictatorial governments.
After 2 Presidencies he was banned, so since 1955 up to 1973 the democracy was a joke in between several dictators.
So, this civil cold war was, in my opinion, the reason of our economy disaster.

I suggest you read "operacion traviata" to understand better our history.

Regards

 

[esllou]

thanks bajo_cero, that's just the sort of thing I was looking for.

I had a mad landlord who used to rant against the left and seemed quite "pro" european/british, had a bit of a superiority complex all in all, and told me "of course it was madness to invade in 1982, we got what we deserved", so I think your "everyone agrees on the malvinas situation" is a bit simplistic. I suppose there are always extremes on both ends of the spectrum.

 

[Bajo_cero2]

Well, the agreement is about:
1. It was insane to go to war, in fact, Galtieri was a drunk who was drunk when he declared war;
2. Malvinas are Argentinas;
3. The diplomatic way is the proper way to solve this issue.
Regards

 

[Bajo_cero2]

i just read two book thet are going to enlight you:

operacion primicia and montoneros, la sobervia armada. According to the second one, peron just
copied mussolini so, montoneros and AAA were both fascist but one left and the other righ. Regards

 

[scotttswan]

talking to quite a few locals not everyone believes the Falklands should be argy.

quite a few believe that they should be independent but I've only met 1 who thinks the current situation is grand.