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The Evolution of Agricultural Interest Groups in Argentina

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 February 2009

Luigi Manzetti
Affiliation:
Luigi Manzetti is Assistant Professor of Political Science at Southern Methodist University

Abstract

Argentina's history has been profoundly influenced by the development of its agriculture. It was through the exportation of beef and grain that the country experienced spectacular economic growth between 1880 and 1930. Historically, agricultural and agro-industrial production have made up between 70 and 80% of export earnings.1 As a consequence, the sector's dominant interest group during that period, the Argentine Rural Society (Sociedad Rural Argentina – SRA) acquired enormous economic power, which led to political clout as many of its members went on to become presidents of the republic and to staff the most important ministries. Because of the political influence so attained the SRA was soon referred to as one of the key factores de poder, or power holders, along with the military, the Church and, later on, labour. This hegemony came to an end in the mid-1940s when industrialisation replaced agriculture as the main contributor to the nation's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and when Peronism removed the landowning elite from control of the levers of power. The agricultural sector continued to take a backseat among the priorities of most of the administrations following Perón's downfall in 1955, because the future of Argentina was perceived to rest upon the promotion of import substitution industrialisation. Agricultural interest groups were never again able to gain the same kind of access to economic policy-making as they had once enjoyed. To make matters worse, the whole rural sector was forced to finance the state-led industrialisation process through a variety of direct and indirect government taxes.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1992

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19 Internal elections were usually a formality as agreements were set up early to present a single list that members would vote on. The instance of an ‘alternative’ second list first appeared in 1908, and again in 1926 when breeders and fatteners (closely linked to foreign meatpackers and shipping companies) battled for the association's control, eventually resulting in the victory of the latter. Subsequently, only on three other occasions did the SRA experience internal squabbles, but such events were related to political crises affecting the whole country. Between 1954 and 1955, disagreements arose over whether to opt for an all-out confrontation or a conciliatory stance with regard to Perón. In 1962, members were divided on whether the association should take a position regarding the conflict between the azules and colorados, rival military factions. Finally, in 1972, dissension arose as a result of the debacle of the military regime and President Lanusse's decision to lift the proscription against Peronism. ibid., pp. 21 and 65.

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