From Worker’s Movements to Movement of the Unemployed, 1870-2001: Imperialism, Capitalist Development, Social and Political Changes among the Subordinated Classes in Argentina

NICOLÁS IÑIGO CARRERA

Globalization and its Discontents, Revisited

SEPHIS - Tulika

Lugar: New Delhi (India); Año: 2003; p. 17 - 36

This comparative study of social movements and popular organizations compares two different moments of capitalist development in Argentina. The first movement is born and developes during the years 1870-1920, while the Second one represents the present context. The paper relates the features and nature of the organisation and the struggles of subordinated social classes to the phases of capitalist development and its fundamental trends (extension or depth), and to the consequent directions (attraction or repulsion) of population in relation to capital. Argentina’s position in the world economy had its first moment when capitalism developed mainly by extension. Workers’ movements became increasingly stronger and more and more played a fundamental part in social and political struggles. Argentine capitalism began to develop in depth in the fifties, and repulsion became the increasingly dominant trend. Simultaneously, the U.S.A. replaced Great Britain as the centre of imperialism. The take-over of the government by the financial oligarchy in the mid-seventies signalled the birth of the second movement. New conditions were imposed, and unemployment became the main feature of Argentine society. Unions lost part of their strength, and the unemployed workers’ movement became a new factor in social and political struggles, organizing not only former industrial workers, but also the poor.The first movement is born and developes during the years 1870-1920, while the Second one represents the present context. The paper relates the features and nature of the organisation and the struggles of subordinated social classes to the phases of capitalist development and its fundamental trends (extension or depth), and to the consequent directions (attraction or repulsion) of population in relation to capital. Argentina’s position in the world economy had its first moment when capitalism developed mainly by extension. Workers’ movements became increasingly stronger and more and more played a fundamental part in social and political struggles. Argentine capitalism began to develop in depth in the fifties, and repulsion became the increasingly dominant trend. Simultaneously, the U.S.A. replaced Great Britain as the centre of imperialism. The take-over of the government by the financial oligarchy in the mid-seventies signalled the birth of the second movement. New conditions were imposed, and unemployment became the main feature of Argentine society. Unions lost part of their strength, and the unemployed workers’ movement became a new factor in social and political struggles, organizing not only former industrial workers, but also the poor.