Early history: 1840–1915 Early socialist thought, began with the ideals of
Esteban Echeverria in the early 19th Century, who led the May Association, a political group which opposed the then current dictator
Juan Manuel de Rosas. Echeverria's ideals of socialism then were premised on the idea of equal rights to eradicate poverty. He wrote many works significant for the movement, including "El Dogma Socialista" (The Socialist Dogma) and would influence the coming generations socialist thought. Although Echeverria's work was significant for the movement, the starting point of Socialism in Argentina is considered to be a little later and in the hands of Echeverria's contemporaries. The ignition of Socialism in Argentina had many significant socialist thinkers such as
Juan B. Justo and
Nicolas Repetto. Although this thought existed, Socialism in Argentina started in the 1890s with the formation of the '
Socialist Party" in 1896. The party was formed on the basis that there was a greater need for 'social focus'. This arrival of immigrants catalysed a new brand of left-wing activism. In 1922 with the rise of The Argentina Right, the works of Marcelino Menendez played a large role in influencing their philosophies and ideas. Also in this year, the famous speech titles "the time of the sword" was delivered to future dictator Agustin P. Justo. The main premise of the speech was its call for a coup d'état and the replacement of the political system with military dictatorship. The military coup in 1930 forced Hipólito Yrigoyen from presidency, and emplaced
José Félix Uriburu. Justo took a different political stance, starting a policy of liberal economic moves that primarily benefitted the nation's upper classes and permitted great political and industrial corruption at the expense of national growth. Peronism was variously described as a variant of nationalist socialism, paternalistic socialism, non-Marxist socialism, and
Catholic socialism. Marxist revolutionary
Che Guevara considered Peronism "a kind of indigenous Latin American socialism with which the Cuban Revolution could side". Charles D. Ameringer argued that "the rise to power of Juan Perón in 1943 was not the end of the socialist impulse in Argentina; it was the culmination" and added that "much of the social legislation either introduced or implemented by Perón . . . originated with the Socialist Party." Perón created a planned and heavily regulated economy, with "a massive public sector of nationalized industries and social services" that was "redistributive in nature" and prioritized workers' benefits and the empowerment of trade unions. He implemented far-reaching social policies that benefitted the Argentine working class, such as a broad public health and education systems and institutionalization of rights of the workers and peasants. Peronism resulted in am emergence of class consciousness of Argentina workers. Peronism greatly empowered trade unions and integrated them into state power, which along with the nationalization of numerous industries and price controls on rents, energy, public services and food items allowed Argentina workers to "have the highest standard of living of their class worldwide." Under Perón, the unionization of Argentine workers reached 42% - a record for Latin America; additionally, Perón introduced regional constitutions under which half of the legislature was to be composed of trade union representatives.
Donald C. Hodges wrote that Peronism represented a "socialism of the non-Marxist variety" and sought to move away from the prevalence of the capitalist relations of production. In 1955 Socialism in Argentina would then take a different form with the ousting of Peron by
military coup. In this way, many people were branded with the title ‘socialist’, and even vague evidence could see the victims' ‘disappearance.’ Particularly the politically active were targeted, students, writers and Peronist guerillas. This period of
state terrorism changed how Argentines viewed socialism, and in many ways subdued the movement. This period is also considered one of the most infamous in regards to Socialism in Argentina and for many people is what comes to mind upon hearing about the ideology. More recently this era has had much attention drawn to it. The modern developments in the forms of trials and declassification of documents have brought to the forefront the movement for Socialism in Argentina and its correspondent retaliations. The amalgamation of the Popular socialist party and the Argentine socialist party in 1972 marked a significant moment historically for the parties. In 1989 the party would win the majority in Rosario.
1983–2000 Socialism in Argentina changed with the election of
Carlos Menem in 1989. The role of the state would drastically change, with extensive structural reform. Menem was a
Peronist, and employed methods of privatisation as a means to reduce hyperinflation.
Present day and
Cristina Fernández de Kirchner Both the role and history of socialism in Argentina have played a significant role in forming the identity of the nation in the world. As seen, the changing historical backdrop has influenced the current of the movement. Particularly, the recent Kirchner leaderships have informed the movement for socialism visible today in Argentina in many ways. The Nestor Kirchner leadership, invoked a brand of socialism that saw his implementation of
price controls and nationalisation of private assets. Kirchner further worked to restructure the public debt problem of Argentina. In many ways, he continued the ideological legacy of Peron, and similarly to Peron's demise was met with
Argentina default in 2014. Former president
Mauricio Macri has recently employed similar Peronist-style policies to reduce the problem of inflation. Argentina's ideological landscape is beginning to change, with Macri's election there are still some prominent Peronist practises remaining. However, as a whole the populist movement in Argentina can be seen as diminishing, and perhaps a shift away from socialist tendencies. ==Key figures in the movement==