MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Transition processes in Argentina and Brazil seen from Washington
The Washington Post in one of this week’s editorials referred to the ‘transition process’ going on in South America’s two largest economies, Argentina and Brazil, after almost a decade of populist leadership. Read full article
Comments
Disclaimer & comment rulesAwful text. Couldn't expect better from the WP, though.
Nov 11th, 2010 - 01:17 pm - Link - Report abuse 0“For most of the past decade, two leftist populists dominated South America's largest countries.” ???? Is it wrong to be a populist? What was Bush then? Are you guys at The WP looking to South America or what?
Nov 11th, 2010 - 02:55 pm - Link - Report abuse 0“Populist” in American usage has become a jargon applied to less than fully pro-American leaders in developing countries who try and direct public resources to poverty reduction instead of relying on the “wonders” of the free market only. And you're correct about Mr Bush, barilox. He and the Republic Party have made use of a rhetoric of jingoism and irrationality that, if spotted in some other area in the world, would be considered by those American journalists as a sign of populist decadence.
Nov 11th, 2010 - 03:05 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Populist leaders use the poor and their votes to gain power and then seldome fullfill their promises. Lula and the Kirchners cannot be named in the same breath. Lula's “ populism” was simply a blend of socialism and capitalism.He made areal difference in peoples lives. The Kirchners extorted support from governors, pay the piquetros and youth movement and even buys votes all in the name of helping the poor. Ironically in the process of fighting for the poor their own wealth increased from US $ 2 million to over US $ 100 million. They are and were only populist in name for their own power hunger. They are harming Argentina to an extent that few Argentines want to admit. It will only manifest in the next few years.
Nov 11th, 2010 - 06:08 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Kirchner's “inept handling of the economy”: Really? 8% yearly growth is inept? Bringing back the country from the dead is inept? And what about CFK's “polarizing style”? Isn't it just too bad that she takes the privileged down a notch or two. For the first time in decades, someone in Argentina is working for the bottom 99% of the people instead of the top 1%. Does the writer feel that CFK should just be polite and tiptoe around the opposition? She is doing her job brilliantly, and will continue to do so in spite of the naysayers. The Kirchners have done more for Argentina than any of their predecessors.
Nov 11th, 2010 - 08:21 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Dorian - ¿Which K-government office do you work for?
Nov 11th, 2010 - 11:37 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Dorian and I are colleagues.
Nov 12th, 2010 - 01:10 am - Link - Report abuse 0He works at the same “K-government office” as I do.
The biggest one...
It's called Argentina....
Hello Mr.Dorian mate.
Nov 12th, 2010 - 02:06 am - Link - Report abuse 0Here you have your chorizo sandwich and your coke. I´m eating mine.
I suspect that Washington Post knowlegde about the region is in the same level as world know about saharaui people. Remember, selfdetermination is paramount..marroqui leave sahara!! britain leave south atlantic!!
“Kirchner's “inept handling of the economy”: Really? 8% yearly growth is inept?”
Nov 12th, 2010 - 09:44 am - Link - Report abuse 0Journalists do not analyse facts as they stand. Instead, they try to fit them in pre-established schemas or even personal biases. And there's a big pro-economic orthodoxy bias in analyses appearing in American and European media, even in those “respectable” outlets such as the FT and The Ecnomist. You see, Kirchner rescued the Argentine economy. But since he failed to appease the international market with either words or actions, since he was not pro-free market, he was really an inept man. To hell with the results, ideology matters the most.
The term “inept” is your term. I would prefer corrupt. The Argentine economy grew at those rates because of high commodity prices globaly. Most emerging economies grew at those rates and better. Kirchner was very fortunate in that sense. It was global conditions - not his doing. The hated campo, gready farmers or oligargs ( Kirchner terms) funded Argentinas recovery. No one has had the decency to thank them for the role they played. Instead they are villified and branded as the enemy.It could have been even more spectacular if Kirchner did not kill off the beef industry. Current growth is unsustainable and inflation “that does not exist” will come back to haunt Argentina. Should Christina be re-elected she will have to deal with it - that will exspose her. Should someone else be elected they will be villified for the Kirchners mistakes they inherited and seen as bad leaders. Political desicions takes time to have effect - good or bad. The Kirchners are bad for Argentina. The have undermined the institutions of the country are destroying the free press, ignores court desicions, collaborate with criminal unionists and footbal hooligans, underfund the school system and have popularised a political style that attacks, devides and belittles opponents. No opposition or debate is allowed a la Chavez. The authorotarian, dictatorial and populist ideology called Kirchnerism is non-democratic. It is not about Argentina it is about power and being remembered ( a place in history) like Peron. Argentines need to think of a new and better political system, gosts from the grave cannot rule any more. It has been happening for far too long.
Nov 12th, 2010 - 10:37 am - Link - Report abuse 0Pedro - At last someone is telling it like it is!
Nov 12th, 2010 - 03:17 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Ok Pedro and Jerry....
Nov 12th, 2010 - 05:38 pm - Link - Report abuse 0See you at election day in 2011
The ballots will decide....
Let the best Man/Woman win.
The “inept” part was actually from the WP article.
Nov 13th, 2010 - 12:49 am - Link - Report abuse 0And that Kirchner has done nothing to lead the country back to growth, is not true. For starters, since 2003 Argentina has recovered a developmentalist economic model, as seen in its targeting a competitive exchange rate to boost exports and preclude the current account deficit from widening. This was a big move. Remember that the East Asian|South American crisis of the late 1990s was the result of currencies pegged to the same value as the dollar - something that damaged domestic industries and employment, and ultimately left countries in those regions vulnerable to speculative attacks.
As for inflation, it's funny that you complain about it and yet show a positive attitude toward farm owners. I've heard they're largely to blame for distortions in the food market due to manipulations to make demand low.
Correction: “...to make supply low...”
Nov 13th, 2010 - 03:37 am - Link - Report abuse 0Forgetit - now its the farmers causing inflation? If it is not profitable to farm with cattle ( supply dries up) due to taxes and export moratoriums - Kirchner rules - who's to blame? Only food went up in price? So farmers caused electricity increases as well and electronic goods and cars and, and, and?? How is tomatoes taxed - yet prices went up 3 fold at least.
Nov 13th, 2010 - 06:59 am - Link - Report abuse 0Divide and rule is and ages old tactic. You support this devision between farmers, bussiness and the Kirchner supporters. Pepe is right - Argentina is torn in two. Farmers and bussinessmen are not Argentines, only Moyano and the populists. Why dont you start a revolution? Get rid of the evil middleclass, farmers, business men etc. Disappear them like in the 70ties. If this upsets you - good, because that is what you and the Kitchnerites are doing. Fostering hatred and division amongst Argentines, until one sicko recons it is justified to punish these eveil elements. A united country working together can achieve far more than a divided one. Christina will probably win the next election and deepen the “model” When the bubble bursts in few years - rember this post.
About (15)
Nov 13th, 2010 - 01:34 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Yet another “Good Hearted” foreign “Doomsday Prophet” feeling the “Deep Urge” of “Enlightening” us about the ”Terrible Things” that have happen in the Argentine democracy during the last eight years and the ever worst things to come…..
And he is not even Argentinean!
No Citizen of this land would type Christina with an ”H”
So I guess I will not be seeing Pedro at the ballot place next year :-)
No you wont. Not that it would make a difference as she will buy enough votes any way. As far as the terrrible things goes, the average Kirchner supporter seems to dumb to understand basic economic principles, have no integrity and cannot recognise the difference between bullshit and common sense, inflation or no inflation and extortion. I have never been anti- Argentina - on the contrary. I am anti Kirchner,Chaves, Morales etc. As for not being Argentinian - true but I still have an opinion. I am part of this world and when idiot politicians and voters destroy countries I will speak up. Have I touched a nerve Sthinko? You attack me but refrain from countering my arguments? Why? - because you cant!
Nov 13th, 2010 - 06:28 pm - Link - Report abuse 0(17) Pedro
Nov 13th, 2010 - 06:42 pm - Link - Report abuse 0You say:
”When idiot politicians and voters destroy countries I will speak up…. Have I touched a nerve……?”
Yes ………. You touch a basic ”nerve” called ”Democracy”
Who decides that politicians are Idiots?
You?
Who decides that voters are Idiots?
You?
You may ”speak up” and express your personal opinion in a democracy… but don’t expect us to listen to your ”Superior Intelligence” when you clearly don’t have any…………
You call the Kirchners extortion of Governors democratic? Phoning people to offer bribes to support debate on the budget bill - democratic?
Nov 14th, 2010 - 07:25 am - Link - Report abuse 0Not attending senate to discuss the bill changing the presidential powers - democratic? Paying piqueteros to demonstrate for your government - democratic?
Yea - right! Text book democrasy.
I have no superior knowledge Thinko but I know the difference between vigs and horse turds. You still have not countered any argument here about the Kirchners with anything usefull to change my opinion. I am waiting.......
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