The military and industrial and technological development in Argentina

Apogee and decline of a country project

Abstract

Between the 1920s and 1980s, Argentina undergoes a strong process of industrialization, which fundamentally disrupts the foundations of its economy. Throughout this process, the military play a leading role. Their contributions are key to the advancement of major industrial and technological projects. At the same time, the military commanders assume the role of arbitrators through coups and control over civilian governments, within a political system in which the different social classes are incapable of reaching lasting agreements, and in which none class or class alliance succeeds in imposing itself. However, in the last quarter of the 20th century, the industrial country model enters into crisis. It is the same military who are in charge of dismantling it. This article tries to explain the double function, political and technical, that the armed forces fulfill throughout the period in question, analyzing the interaction between internal and external causes. It also aims to investigate what motivates the eventual abandonment of the industrial country model and for what reasons the national economy ends up acquiring its current configuration. The answers to these questions are relevant to the contemporary political debate.