Contemporary History of Argentina

This course provides a general overview of Argentina's history with special emphasis on the major social, political, and economic developments of the 20th century. First, you will consider the case of Argentina in the context of major trends in Latin American history since 1492. You will focus in particular on the characteristics of the Rio de la Plata societies during colonial times and then survey the conflicts, ideas, and processes leading to the formation of the Argentine state at the end of the 19th century. Second, you consider the evolution of Argentina's political system, the modernization of its society, and the different strategies the Argentine state adopted in pursuit of economic development and growth in the contemporary period. A third section considers the emergence of Peronism, its economic and social legacies and, particularly, its dominance in Argentinean politics, one that created the context for frequent and violent involvement of the military in politics with its resultant impact on the political stability of Argentina. The course continues with an examination of the last thirty years of democratic reform and progress, including Argentina's dramatic economic crises of 1989 and 2001. You conclude your studies with an evaluation of the prospects for continued democratic consolidation and economic development