The Democratic Decade: Argentina Since Malvinas

Abstract

The tenth anniversary of the war in the South Atlantic has led to an extensive review of those tragic events. There have been discussions, for example, around the impact of the 'Falklands effect' in British politics but it is also necessary, however, to carry out an overview of the democratisation decade in Argentina. The bare bones of the story are well known. The defeat of Argentina's armed forces by Britain's Task Force' led to the crumbling ofthe military dictatorship. Raul Alfonsin became president in 1983 amidst a flurry of democratic enthusiasm. Military revolts, economic crisis and the Plan Austral, failure to achieve a social pact and the revival of Peronism, led to a collapse of this first post-transition civilian regime. Carlos Menem, his Peronist successor, in 1989 consolidated the transition to democracy, becoming the first civilian president to peacefully succeed another in 60 years. To the surprise of many, including many of those who voted for him, the one time 'colourful' provincial caudillo began to apply the economics of neo-liberalism for long preached by Argentina's small conservative party. So, what is the balance sheet of Argentina's democratic decade? What are the prospects for overcoming the chronic instability of the country since at least the military overthrow of Peronism in 19 5 5 ? What are the wider implications of this story?