Argentina, officially the Argentine Republic, has a population of approximately 40.3 million and its capital is Buenos Aires. The country gained independence in 1816 and underwent significant political changes, including the presidency of Juan Domingo Perón and military rule during the 'Dirty War' from 1976 to 1983. Today, Argentina operates as a republic with a bicameral legislative system and a diverse economy that heavily relies on agriculture and natural resources.

1. ARGENTINA
(Argentine Republic)
Aaron Downing

2. Country Bio
• Capitol: Buenos Aires
• Year of Independence: 1816
• Population: 40.3 Million (2007 est.)
• Annual Population Growth Rate: 1.05%
• Area: 1,078,757 mi² (2nd
S.A., 8th
W.W.)
• Language: Spanish
• HDI: 0.860 (46th
W.W.)
• Health
– Infant Mortality Rate: 16.16/1,000
– Life Expectancy: 75.48 (2000 est.)

3. History
• First visited in 1516, Juan Diaz de Solias
• Spain established colony in 1580
• The Vice Royalty of Rio de la Plata in 1776
• 1816, Rio de la Plata declares independence
• Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay formed.
Argentina remained.
• Lengthy conflict over future of nation
• 1853 Constitution formed; 1861,
Government established
• Conservative until 1916; Radicals expand middle class
• Hipolito Yrigoyen ousted in 1930; Conservatives

4. Juan Domingo Peron
• An Army Colonel, elected in 1946
• Created Peronist, or Justicialista Party (PJ)
Middle class and Unionized workers
• Wife Eva Duarte de Peron (Evita)
• Won in 1952; sent into exile by military in 1955
• 1950’s and 1960’s, powers traded; failed to progress
• 1973, Peron returns; Wife Maria Estela Isabela
Martinez de Peron, VP
• Peron died July 1, 1974
• Wife takes over; Removed by military March 24, 1976

5. History
• Armed Forces take over; Harsh force against
“Extremists”
• “El Proceso”; 10,000-30,000 “Disappeared” 1976-1983
• 1982, Defeated by U.K., over Falklands/Malvinas
Islands
• 1983, Democracy returns; Raul Alfonsin (UCR)
• 1992, Peso-Dollar Parity; Saul Menem (PJ)
• Growth and stability through the 90’s
• Fernando de la Ruca; corruption led to financial crisis
in 2001
• Bloody riots; De la Ruca resigns

6. Economy
• GDP: $261 Billion (2007)
• Annual Real Growth Rate: + 8.7%
• Natural Resources: Fertile Plains; Minerals—Lead, Zinc,
Tin, Copper, Iron, Manganese, Oil and Uranium
• Agriculture: 8% of GDP, 55% Exports; Oil-seed, Grains,
Livestock Products
• Industry: 22.5% of GDP; Food processing, Oil, Machine
and Equipment, Textiles and Chemicals
• Trade: Exports, $55.9 Billion

7. Structure of Government
• Type: Republic
• Independence: 1816
• Constitution: Formed 1853; Revised 1994
• Branches: Executive, Legislative, Judicial
• 23 Provinces, 1 District (Federal Capitol)
• President: Head of State and Head of Government

8. Executive Branch
• Chief of State: President Cristina Fernandez de
Kirchner; Vice-President Julio
Cobos (Dec. 10, 2007)
• Head of Government: President
Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner;
Vice-President Julio Cobos
• Cabinet: Appointed by President
• President and Vice-President,
same ticket, four year terms, two
consecutive term limit

9. Legislative Branch
• Bicameral National Congress (Congreso Nacional)
– Senate: 72 seats (3 per province and district)
• Direct vote, 1/3 elected every two years (2007), six
year terms
• Presided by Vice President
– Chamber of deputies: 257 seats (similar to delegates)
• Direct vote, 1/2 elected every two years, four year
terms
• High female representation
– Nearly 1/3 of Chamber of deputies

10. Judicial Branch
• Supreme Court (Corte Suprema)
– Appointed by President, Approved by Senate
– Serve for life
– Currently 7, reducing to 5
• Federal Courts
– Appointed by President via recommendation
• Provincial Courts

11. Political Parties
• Two major parties:
– Justicialist Party (PJ): Peronist; 1945 by Juan
Domingo Peron; Labor support
– Union Civica Radical (UCR): 1891; urban middle-
class
• Emerging:
– Civic Coalition (CC): Urban
– National Proposal (PRO): Urban
– Victory Front (FpV): Peronist and non-Peronists
President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner

12. Political Participation
• All citizens 18 to 70 (exceptions after)
• Mandatory voting (weak enforcement)
• National Voting Holiday
– 3-Day weekend to vote
• Since 1951, 74.94% participation rate (Presidential)
– High, 1981 82.8%
• Too much voting?

13. Political Culture
• Often unstable democracy
• Historical shifts in power
– Military to civilian, federalist to unitarian, ect…
• Periods of growth followed by decline
• Corruption leads to dissatisfaction
• Frequent protests
• Periods of violence
– “El Proceso”
– 2001 uproars

14. Political Socialization
• Ethnic Groups: European 97% (Italian and Spanish);
minority groups 3%
• Religions: Roman Catholic 70%, Protestant 9%,
Muslim 1.5%, Jewish 0.8%, Other 2.5%
• Education: Compulsory until 18; Literacy rate: 97%
– Secondary education popular
• Media: Private and state; one of the largest in L.A.
– Newspapers: 150 daily; La Prensa, Clarin
– Television: Telefe, Canal 7
– Radio: Radio Mitre, Radio Nacional

15. Interest Groups
• Argentine Industrial Union: Manufactures Assoc.
• Argentine Rural Confederation: S to M landowners
• Argentine Rural Society: Large landowners
• Centeral of Argentine Workers (CTA): Radical Union
for employed and unemployed
• General Confederation of Labor (CGT): Peronist labor
confederation
– White and Blue CGT
• Roman Catholic Church