The Sorrows of Carmencita MAURICIO ROJAS * The Sorrows of Carmencita Argentina’s crisis in a historical perspective © The author and AB Timbro Timbro Förlag AB 2002 Tel: +46 (0)8-587 898 00 E-mail:
[email protected] Internet: www.timbro.se ENGLISH TRANSLATION: Roger G. Tanner COVER DESIGN AND TYPOGRAPHY: Formgivningsverket COVER PHOTO: Anthony Saint James/Gettys Images AUTHOR PORTRAIT: Pontus Johansson ORIGINATION: Ateljé Typsnittet L&R AB PRINTING: Kristianstads Boktryckeri AB, Kristianstad 2002 ISBN 91-7566-529-8 Para Mónica, por todo aquello que las palabras no pueden decir. Contents Preface 9 Introduction 13 Carmencita dances for a long summer 17 The history of Argentine prosperity 17 • Colonial Argentina 17 •The saga of Argentine prosperity 20 • Explaining Argentina’s success 24 • All that glitters is not gold 30 • Problems of industrial development 33 • The war and the gay twenties 43 The sorrows of Carmencita 49 Argentina’s odyssey from riches to rags 49 • The collapse of the export economy 50 • In the colonel’s arms 57 • Perón in power 63 • Towards the abyss 76 • The abyss 87 Carmencita’s last tango? 97 Alfonsín 98 • The man from La Rioja 103 • Argentina’s indian summer 110 • The other side of the coin 113 • Back to the edge of the abyss 118 • Carmencita’s last tango? 135 Bibliography 139 PREFACE This book is a long reply to those wishing to put down the tragic problems of Argentina to liberal ideas and economic liberty. Stockholm, April 2002 Mauricio Rojas 9 Carmencita, little friend, steer well clear of wealthy men! Happiness isn’t just oxen and cows, and you will never ever buy it with money.