The political right in Argentina (1983-2023): a historical mapping of changes and tensions

MORRESI, SERGIO DANIEL

Right-wing and Democracy in Argentina

Routledge

Lugar: Londres; Año: 2023;

The objective of this chapter is to approach the relationship of the political right-wing to democracy in Argentina. To this end, the main characteristics of two competing right-wing families are presented: the Liberal-Conservatives and the Reactionary-Nationalists. Despite their differences, both currents rejected democracy and participated together in coups and dictatorships for five decades, until the implosion of the last military government in 1983 led the political leaders of the right to coexist and compromise with the democratic system. The party building of a center-right organization since the beginning of the 21st century has been crucial to this right-wing commitment with democracy. In recent years, however, the emergence and rapid growth of a radical right-wing movement and a personalist party representing it marked a new turning point. While the ideas, tones, and practices of this radical right have been adopted by some leaders of mainstream right-wing as part of their internal struggles, the commitment to democracy that has been slowly built seems to be being challenged.