Classical Liberal Thought in Argentina: An Introduction
For the last year or so, Alejandro Gomez and I have been working on an introductory account of the history of classical liberal thought in Argentina. This account has been published in two parts in Econ Journal Watch. We start in 1816 and progress through 2023. We thank the editor, Dan Klein, for trusting this project to us.
Classical Liberalism in Argentina, from 1816 to 1884
This article has been undertaken as the first in a projected multipart series that will treat classical liberalism in Argentina from 1816 to 2024. The present article studies the classical liberal influence in early Argentine history, from its first thinkers after independence in 1816 to the 1853 constitution and its aftermath. The paper focuses on the channels by which classical liberal thinking animated and influenced Argentine intellectuals and leaders. The foremost protagonist in the story is Juan Bautista Alberdi (1810–1884). As indicated in the title of the present article, we have used Alberdi’s death year to close the period covered in this Part I on classical liberalism in Argentina.
Classical Liberalism in Argentina, 1884 to 2023
In a prior article, we treated classical liberalism in Argentina from 1816 to 1884. Here we pick up around 1884, during Argentina’s golden age, and continue through the twentieth century and up to December 2023, stopping just as Javier Milei became President of Argentina. This article highlights the impact of nationalist education reforms starting in 1908, which progressively undermined liberal foundations and contributed to the emergence of Peronism and institutional instability. The article explores the persistence of classical liberal ideas through key figures such as Alberto Benegas Lynch, Carlos Sánchez Sañudo, and Álvaro Alsogaray, as well as institutions like ESEADE and UCEMA. It also analyzes how the 2001 economic crisis bolstered statist approaches, while certain academic institutions and think tanks continued to uphold classical liberal ideas.