Sandinismo and Sandino, and the legacy - Essay Example

Peron and Order 505023 Topic: Peron and Peronism and his Legacy Peronism is indefinable precisely but it can be described broadly. It is a political activity relating to the programs and ideas associated with former President Juan Peron. He founded the Partido Justicialista (Peron’s party) and even now it influences the political scene in Argentina. Peronism doesn’t fall within the normal political philosophy, and analysts have interpreted its essence according to the prevailing social, cultural and political conditions.

Nevertheless, it has always been a populist movement, bordering fascist tendencies. Peron was a staunch admirer of Mussolini. For ex-Nazis, Argentina was a place of exile. Some compare it to Gaullism in France. Was it a left-wing force? Was it a right-wing sympathizer? Was it a conservative movement? It baffles definition. Working class of Argentina loved Peron and he was disliked by the national bourgeoisie. Catholic Montoneros supported Peron. In the 1960-70s it was identified as a conservative movement.

Peronism survived and influenced in the confusing political situation in Argentina. Peter Winn writes, “When the aging Caudillo died in 1974, Argentina was so polarized between the Peronist left and right that its fragile democracy soon descended into a vortex of violence that culminated in a military coup two years later and a “dirty war” in which some thirty thousand were “disappeared” making Argentina notorious for its violations of human Peron and………..2 rights.”(157) Person himself lived in exile in Franquist Spain, for 20 years and this boosted his popular support in Argentina.

His absence from the active political scene of Argentina for such a long period could not contain the influence of Peronism. Thomas E. Skidmore et al. write, “The sudden vacuum created by his departure was indicative neither Peron nor Peronism was finished. The new President was Eduardo Lonardi, a moderate general who wanted to avoid a vindictive policy…” (89) This was the index of his all-round popularity. But his views were not fixed and changed frequently. The contents that never changed were the good points of socialism, capitalism, communism and nationalism and Peron embraced them without reservations so far as they served the national interest and the well-being of the people of Argentina.

Thus, he placed himself in a must-love situation as for the people of Argentina, and occupied the centre stage of national politics. His strong influence and mass popularity could not be ignored by any type of leadership that ruled the country. His politics and principles were a strange mixture that attracted the people. He pleaded for freedom from all external influences, he was neither a capitalist nor socialist and vouched to give the essential freedom to run industry on sound and practical principles of business, where profit-making was the accepted incentive.

His style of democracy was strongly tempered with nationalism yet he stood for a strong authoritarian centralized government and opposition forces were tackled with strictness. The problems with Peronist policies: This enigmatic person and his policies found a wide acceptance cutting across party lines. He Peron and……3 lacked the trust and support of the upper class and personal views contradicted his ideology. He was not liked by the wealthy. He regaled and influenced the audience with his populistspeeches and nationalist fervor.

His corporate policies were full of contradictions. Large corporations of Argentina were nationalized and at the same time the workers relinquished the right to strike. The state acted as the arbitrator between conflicting interests. In fine, such is the massive influence of Peronism that even today people strongly believe that without Peronism, Argentina would not be where it is today. Works Cited Skidmore, Thomas E (Author), Smith, Peter H. (Author). Modern Latin America, Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 6th Edition, January 7, 2005.

Winn, Peter. Americas; University of California Press, 1999. 139