A trajetória econômica da Argentina: 1989 - 2007

Abstract

This work aims to analyze the political and economic trajectory of Argentina between 1989 and 2007. In this sense, we cover the argentine governments of this period, the main perspectives of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund in relation to economic measures done by the governments and argentine industry reaction against the neoliberal and neodesenvolvimentistas policies. Carlos Menem, from the Justicialist Party, became president of Argentina between 1989 and 1999. Its main economic measures had neoliberal orientation. Thus, the market and finance were opened and several state enterprises were privatized. The World Bank and IMF supported these economic reforms while the economy went through a long process of disintegration and de-industrialization. Menem’s measures left the argentine economy susceptible to fluctuations in international markets and unbalanced the social structure and domestic economy, which went into recession. In this scenario, Fernando De la Rúa, from the alliance between the Unión Cívica Radical and Frente País Solidario, assumes the president of Argentina in 1999. De la Rúa kept the liberalizing measures from Menem’s government, although the crisis was worsening. The economic, social and political crises were unprecedented in recent Argentina’s history. Fernando De la Rúa resigns, and, finally, the assembly chooses Eduardo Duhalde, from Justicialist Party, as president until new elections. During this process, it is decreed Argentine debt default and the end of currency board. In 2003, Kirchner, also from Justicialist Party, won the elections and becomes the new president. With the end of neoliberal experience in Argentina, the IMF and World Bank become apprehensive about Argentina’s economic future. However, the industry returns to growth, strengthened with exports and increased domestic consumption, reactivating the Argentine economy.