Camberiu:
1) First of all, most if not all populisms are unique.
Yes, they all have some unique favoring, but share many common characteristics. We are all humans after all, and we all respond to the same stimulus more or less the same. Sales techniques and populist techniques work just the same across different borders and languages. A quick review
here on the common characteristics of populism.
2) Most US people living in Argentina have some idea on Peron and what he did.However,I don't think they would have "a very good handle" on it.
Still 1000 times better handle than they would have on Vargas, which was who you wanted me to refer to, for some reason.
3) Vargas and Peron were very similar.you come out with both some very sensational and also some very informarative material.As you are Brazilian and in my view, a very good student of Latin American "caudillismo-----omnipotent leaders".Pray tell,what is your take on Getulio Vargas?
By saying that they were very similar, I think you just contradicted your statement #1. Yes, they were very similar. Both were autocratic, authoritarians, used the feelings nativism, xenofobia and demoagogery to enhance their grip on power. Peron was much more charismatic and likable than Getulio. Getulio was more pragmatic and had a much better understanding of global geo-politics than Peron. As an example, Getulio figured out early on that Brazil would be much better off siding with the Allies, while Peron opted for a neutral (covertly friendly) relation with the Axis powers. As a reward for Brazil's help during the war, the US paid for and build
the most advanced and efficient steel mill in the world at the time, in Volta Redonda, state of Rio de Janeiro. This kick started the process, engineered by Getulio, of the economic, technological and industrial leap frogging of Brazil over Argentina, which eventually turned Brazil into the uncontested leader in the region.
