Menemism Explained
Menemism is a term that refers to the policies implemented in Argentina by Carlos Menem, president of the country from 1989 to 1999. Like peronism (movement Menem belonged to), menemism is complex, being most usually defined as populist rhetoric combined with neoliberal policies.
Menemism came to power from the Popular Unity Justicialista Front. He is remembered for the electoral platform with which he won the elections; the measures included a "salariazo" and "productive revolution." He won the elections with other sectors of Peronism or center-left radicalism.
Menemism returned to power with a resoundingly high vote rate, having already modified the national constitution, with the Co-participation, so that the government mandates would last 4 years, making it possible for Carlos Saúl Menen to be re-elected. The recurring problems of this economic model determined an economic recession since 1998, which would end up exploding in the 2001 crisis.
Ideology
Menemism constituted a political-cultural period around the practice of an excessive consensus of the neoliberal ideology, with policies such as convertibility, the privatization of companies, economic liberation, where the economy was deregulated, reducing quotas, tariffs and import prohibitions. Ideology that was contradicted mainly by the national-popular sectors of Peronism that branded Menem as a "Traitor". In order to contradict these sectors, an attempt was made to relate, in this sense, the trace of a certain turn of Peronism in public policies during 1952 to open up to foreign capital, with the liberal policies that the Menemist government was carrying out. In order to show some continuity and relationship with the Peronist movement.[14]
Menemism was qualified in various ways around its position in the political spectrum, the most common is the center-right[15] or the right-wing.[16] [17] [18]
Menemism is considered conservative by most sectors, although in their governments there were not too many cultural or social policies where we can see it clearly represented.
Political program
Economic model
Menem quickly adhered to the policies of economist John Williamson, who proposed a set of ten specific formulas for developing countries affected by macroeconomic crises, such as a package of tax, trade and labor reforms to stabilize prices, attract foreign investment ; reduce the size of the state, and encourage the expansion of internal market forces.[19] Greater opening of the economy. It implied the entry of financial and productive capital and the entry of goods that compete with national products. This measure once again caused the closure of factories and workshops.
Convertibility plan
By law, the national currency was set at parity with the US dollar. As a consequence, the cost of national production increased and businessmen could not compete with imports. Therefore, production fell and unemployment rose.
Privatizations
Based on Law No. 23,696, better known as the State Reform Law, Menemism in his government implemented a series of massive privatizations of state-owned companies in order to generate a more liberal economy. Menem put the following state companies up for sale: YPF, YCF, Gas del Estado, the National Telecommunications Company, Aerolíneas Argentinas, the Port, the national retirement and pension system, among others. Which translated into strategic relations with the United States and Great Britain, being applauded by conservative leaders of the moment such as Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher.[20]
Decrease in public spending
The decrease in public spending under Menemism was one of the conditions imposed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to grant credit to the country and sustain the convertibility regime. Public spending went from representing 35.6% of GDP in 1989 to only 18.3% in 1992. This reduction was achieved mainly through the privatization or concession of public companies and services. The decrease in public spending also affected areas sensitive areas such as education, health, defense and security. The budget allocated to these areas was reduced or transferred to the provinces, which had to take charge of financing them with their own resources or with debt. The consequence was a deterioration in the quality and coverage of these services, as well as a loss of public jobs and social rights. Its objective was to achieve a fiscal balance and avoid the monetary issue that generated inflation. However, it also had negative effects on the productive development, employment, income distribution and well-being of the population.[21] [22] [23] [24]
International alignment
Menem's economy ministers were prominent academics and privileged relations with the United States. However, there were differences between the management of Cavallo and that of Di Tella. While Cavallo tried to maintain differences without diplomatic pressure from the United States, Di Tella did not hesitate to adopt a policy of exclusive attention to that country, called "carnal relations." In 1996 changes were observed in this strategy that could mean the abandonment of this policy.
Actualidad
Currently there are various politicians who are usually considered by the political scene as menemistas or vindicators of it. As Mauricio Macri,[25] [26] [27] [28] Javier Milei,[29] [30] [31] [32] [33] Miguel Ángel Pichetto[34] [35] [36] [37] or Patricia Bullrich.[38] [39]
Some parties that are considered menemists are, for example, Encuentro Republicano Federal.[40] [41]
Notes and References
- 29 March 2023 . Souroujon . December 2014 . Gastón . 1851-1716 . 49 . 1–22 . Ciencia, docencia y tecnología . La ciencia política argentina frente al menemismo: Preguntas, interpretaciones y debates . es . Argentine political science in the face of Menemism: Questions, interpretations and debates .
- 29 March 2023 . Fair . June 2009 . Hernán . 1852-1568 . 21 . 105–129 . Estudios - Centro de Estudios Avanzados. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba . Una revisión crítica de los estudios sobre el menemismo . A critical review of studies on Menemism .
- Suárez . Fernando Manuel . 2009 . Menemismo: ni traición, ni transformismo (1988-1990) . es . Menemism: neither betrayal nor transformism (1988-1990) . XII Jornadas Interescuelas . . San Carlos de Bariloche.
- Book: Reynares, Juan Manuel . 29 March 2023 . 2017 . Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Derecho y Ciencias Sociales. Centro de Estudios Avanzados . El neoliberalismo cordobés: La trayectoria identitaria del peronismo provincial entre 1987 y 2003 . Cordovan neoliberalism: The identity trajectory of provincial Peronism between 1987 and 2003 . 9789871751464 .
- Web site: 2 April 2023 . 14 February 2021 . Carlos Menem, el neoliberal populista que transformó Argentina . es . Carlos Menem, the populist neoliberal who transformed Argentina . El Mundo.
- Web site: 2 April 2023 . 14 February 2021 . es . Menem, el populista que quiso convertir el peronismo en liberalismo . Menem, the populist who wanted to turn Peronism into liberalism . El Español.
- Book: Nun, José. Populismo, representación y menemismo.
- 4 August 2022 . V. . 25 February 2015 . Leslie Wehner . 0718-9656 . 2 . 25–56 . Revista Enfoques: Ciencias Políticas y Administración Pública . El neo-populismo de Menem y Fujimori: Desde la primera campaña electoral hasta la re-elección en 1995 . The neo-populism of Menem and Fujimori: From the first electoral campaign to the re-election in 1995 . es . 2.
- News: 2022-08-04. 2021-02-24. NOTICIAS EL COMERCIO. es. PERÚ. El parentesco decisionista entre Menem y Fujimori, por Orazio Potestá Columna Carlos Menem Alberto Fujimori Argentina OPINION. El Comercio.
- Souroujon . G. . 2019 . Los imaginarios de la centroderecha argentina. Entre el primer mundo y la autoayuda. Refexión . The imaginaries of the Argentine center-right. Between the first world and self-help. Reflections . es . Política . 21 . 42 . 129–143 . 10.29375/01240781.3326. 11336/151937 . free .
- Web site: 2023-04-01. ¿Quién es quién en la derecha argentina? (Segunda y última parte) / Bitacora online - www.bitacora.com.uy. www.bitacora.com.uy.
- Web site: 1 April 2023 . 2 October 2021 . es . El peronismo y la derecha . Peronism and the right . Perfil.
- Web site: 1 April 2023 . La derecha exitosa . The successful right . es . Revista Rea.
- 31 March 2023 . Fair . January 2016 . 10.7440/colombiaint86.2016.04 . Hernán . 0121-5612 . Del peronismo nacional-popular al peronismo neoliberal: Transformaciones de las identidades políticas en la Argentina menemista . From national-popular Peronism to neoliberal Peronism: Transformations of political identities in Menemist Argentina . Colombia Internacional . 86 . 107–136 . 11336/91135 . free .
- Souroujon, G. (2019). Los imaginarios de la centroderecha argentina. Entre el primer mundo y la autoayuda. Refexión Política 21 (42), pp. 129-143. doi: 10.29375/01240781.3326
- Web site: 2023-04-01. ¿Quién es quién en la derecha argentina? (Segunda y última parte) / Bitacora online - www.bitacora.com.uy. www.bitacora.com.uy.
- Web site: 2023-04-01. 2021-10-02. es. El peronismo y la derecha. Perfil.
- Web site: 2023-04-01. La derecha exitosa. Revista Rea.
- Web site: 2 April 2023 . es-ES . Las 10 claves de la economía de Carlos Menem . The 10 keys to the economy of Carlos Menem . infobae.
- Web site: 3 April 2023 . 25 October 1999 . es . La economía que queda tras 10 años con Menem . The economy that remains after 10 years with Menem . La Nación.
- Web site: 2021-02-15 . La economía de Menem: transformación económica, estabilidad monetaria y privatizaciones con elevado costo social . 2023-05-20 . LA NACION . es.
- Web site: ¿Bajar impuestos o disminuir el gasto público? Gerencie.com . 2023-05-20 . www.gerencie.com.
- Web site: 17 July 2019 . La disminución del gasto público . The decline in public spending . 20 May 2023 . El Financiero . es.
- Web site: Convertibilidad: el "uno a uno", la política económica que marcó la presidencia de Menem y terminó en crisis . es . Convertibility: the "one to one", the economic policy that marked the Menem presidency and ended in crisis . 20 May 2023 . www.ambito.com.
- Web site: 2023-04-01. es-AR. Mauricio Macri reapareció más menemista que nunca. www.infocielo.com.
- Web site: 2023-04-01. 2022-03-25. es. Página12. Macri reivindicó a Menem y recibió duros cuestionamientos de Juntos por el Cambio Sus propios aliados le recordaron que "fundó un Poder Judicial corrupto". PAGINA12.
- Web site: 2023-04-01. es-Ar. TÉLAM. Macri reivindicó a Menem y desde Juntos por el Cambio salieron a cuestionarlo. www.telam.com.ar.
- Web site: 2023-04-01. 2022-03-25. es. Clarín.com. El inesperado elogio de Mauricio Macri a Carlos Menem: 'Será cada vez más reivindicado porque pacificó la Argentina'. Clarín.
- Web site: 2023-04-01. es-ES. Martín Menem, el legislador libertario sobrino del ex presidente: "Milei es quien mejor representa las ideas de mi tío". infobae.
- Web site: 2023-04-01. Silvia. es. Mercado. El plan de Javier Milei para PBA: armador menemista y dos candidatas a la gobernación. www.cronista.com. 19 November 2022 .
- Web site: 2023-04-01. es-ES. Javier Milei: "Menem fue el mejor presidente de toda la historia". infobae.
- Web site: 2023-04-01. 2022-06-20. es. Poco días antes de morir, Menem recibió a Javier Milei. Perfil.
- Web site: 2023-04-01. 2023-03-28. Federico Rivas. es-AR. Molina. Javier Milei, el político argentino inclasificable. El País Argentina.
- Web site: 2023-04-01. Micaela. es. Pérez. ¿Vuelven los 90? La tropa menemista que Pichetto quiere arrimarle a Macri. www.cronista.com. 19 June 2019 .
- Web site: 2023-04-01. es-Ar. TÉLAM. Pichetto: 'Menem fue un gran presidente'. www.telam.com.ar.
- Web site: 2023-04-01. 2022-09-19. Radio. es. Continental. La banda menemista que Pichetto quiere devolver al poder. Radio Continental.
- Web site: 2023-04-01. es. Bajo Palabra: visitas a la oficina de Macri y la fundación "menemista" de Pichetto Política. La Voz del Interior. 8 March 2022 .
- Web site: 2023-04-01. es-AR. El menemismo se suma a Juntos por el Cambio y se ilusiona con sumar a Javier Milei. A24. 26 February 2022 .
- Web site: 2023-04-01. Noticias La ideología de Patricia Bullrich. noticias.perfil.com.
- Web site: 1 April 2023 . 13 May 2022 . es . Juntos por el Cambio: Miguel Ángel Pichetto lanzó su precandidatura a la Presidencia con Encuentro Republicano Federal . Together for Change: Miguel Ángel Pichetto launched his candidacy for the Presidency with a Federal Republican Meeting . tn.com.ar.
- Web site: 1 April 2023 . es-ES . Hernández, otro aporte para menemizar al "pichettismo" . Hernández, another contribution to menemize the "Pichettismo" . Radio Kermes . 14 October 2022.