The reproduction of democratic neo-liberalism in Argentina? Kirchner?s solution to the crisis of 2001

EMILIA CASTORINA

Historical Materialism

Brill

Lugar: Leiden; Año: 2014 vol. 79 p. 73 - 97

1570-1522

The shift in policymaking that followed from the crisis of 2001 in Argentina has been largely promoted as a fundamental departure from neo-liberalism. However, the persistence of social inequality and economic concentration cast some doubts on how neoliberalism is (or should be) defined. This paper explores the extent to which neo-liberalism has been reproduced under more sustainable and progressive forms. By understanding the process of crisis (1998-2002) and re-composition (2003-2007) of capitalist accumulation in Argentina in terms of the contradictions and subsequent resolution of democratic neo-liberalism the paper shows how Nestor Kirchner?s government has been able to prevent redistributing wealth/income from the concentrated (and internationalized) fractions of capital to popular sectors while mantaining political stability and increasing social consensus.