The Argentine Paradox

Abstract

The Frondizi government in Argentina is com mitted to democratic principles and international co-operation, but the Argentine people are committed to rabid nationalism and political fragmentation. A permanent crisis in Argentina since 1930 has produced extreme fragmentation, as distin guished from pluralism, and has made it necessary for the military actively to protect the stability and integrity of what ever government holds office. Although the behavior of the Argentines is generally typical of the behavior of peoples in underdeveloped countries, Argentina has long enjoyed national independence and has been well developed. The middle class is large, and literacy is high. Argentine nationalism cannot be explained as a simple function of the struggle for political in dependence and economic development. Following the Perón debacle, however, Frondizi was compelled by economic neces sity to adopt unpopular policies of economic stability and austerity. The resistance of the people to these has increased the dependence of Frondizi upon the military. Unless great successes are obtained before the Frondizi term expires, the policies which have come to be identified with him will almost certainly be reversed, and a situation similar to that in Cuba may result. In the immediate future, the United States, with out being charged with interventionism, can only offer the help Argentina solicits. In the long run, the United States can advise and assist the Argentines, as Americans, in finding a solution for themselves.—Ed.