I have no idea how Argentine democracy could become any more populist or demagogic than it has already been since the late 1990s. I also have no idea how left-wing economists can be credibly criticizing any of the policies proposed for reforming Argentina. It has already started becoming like post-Chavez Venezuela there. This election reflects that enough Argentines hope to turn this around, but I am not going to hold my breath. This is Argentina, where populism and ideology is favored over what works economically.
I have a friend in Buenos Aires. I asked him for his opinion of Milei. First let me say that I'm so frustrated with "western" media, who cast every non-western political thing in the light of western politics. I guess it's easier to say that Milei is Argentina's Trump than to address the actual concerns that got him elected and his proposals for addressing those concerns.
My friend likes Milei. In his opinion, Argentina's economy is already on course for a crash landing. He tells me that the number of people who live off the government, either by being employed by it, or through social welfare programs, dramatically dwarfs those who work for the private sector. He believes that something radical has to be done, and perhaps Milei is the one to do it. Now, that's just one guy's opinion, but I'll take his opinion over that of 100 left leaning economists. :-)
Most of the critics quoted are lefties (Guardian, WaPo, "100 left leaning economists").
When you want apocalyptic opinions, go left.
The more optimistic sources are not quoted.
And the kiss of death - both Jordana Timerman and Claire raise the specter of Trump.
What lefties choose to ignore is that their policies led Argentina into this mess.
Timerman and Berlinski constantly reference Trump as the (potential) destroyer of democracy. And ignore the damage that Garland is doing to the justice system.
Timerman and Berlinski continue to show intellectual kinship to the American left - ignoring that the most virulent antisemitism is found in American universities and the lefty press.
Bluntly, they should look for a better class of friends.
Trump lives in their heads, degrading much of their writing with emotional content.
Still worth reading, but now the skepticism lights are flashing.
Shame to let a putz like Trump affect their credibility.
I wish Mr. Milei well but as Justin wrote, "This is Argentina . . ."
Years ago when I was living California, voters were allowed to register as a member of a political party. I was unhappy with the major parties so I registered as Libertarian. Libertarians had the best election night parties. We knew we weren't going to win so we had a good time. I saw a woman wearing a snake, a man dressed as Daniel Boone, and someone dressed as a cigar store Indian.
OBTW, I used to live in Venezuela (in the 70's when it was nice) and heard a lot of jokes about Argentines. The rest of Latin America views them as being
arrogant. A stereotype but there's some truth to it.
Argentina will keep vacillating between extreme left and extreme right promises, but the people seem to vote against their economic interests no matter what. Unlike in the USA, liberal democracy and the rule of law were historically seen as the religion of the elite, and the masses have long supported strongmen and strongwomen who promise "justice."
I have no idea how Argentine democracy could become any more populist or demagogic than it has already been since the late 1990s. I also have no idea how left-wing economists can be credibly criticizing any of the policies proposed for reforming Argentina. It has already started becoming like post-Chavez Venezuela there. This election reflects that enough Argentines hope to turn this around, but I am not going to hold my breath. This is Argentina, where populism and ideology is favored over what works economically.
I have a friend in Buenos Aires. I asked him for his opinion of Milei. First let me say that I'm so frustrated with "western" media, who cast every non-western political thing in the light of western politics. I guess it's easier to say that Milei is Argentina's Trump than to address the actual concerns that got him elected and his proposals for addressing those concerns.
My friend likes Milei. In his opinion, Argentina's economy is already on course for a crash landing. He tells me that the number of people who live off the government, either by being employed by it, or through social welfare programs, dramatically dwarfs those who work for the private sector. He believes that something radical has to be done, and perhaps Milei is the one to do it. Now, that's just one guy's opinion, but I'll take his opinion over that of 100 left leaning economists. :-)
Most of the critics quoted are lefties (Guardian, WaPo, "100 left leaning economists").
When you want apocalyptic opinions, go left.
The more optimistic sources are not quoted.
And the kiss of death - both Jordana Timerman and Claire raise the specter of Trump.
What lefties choose to ignore is that their policies led Argentina into this mess.
Timerman and Berlinski constantly reference Trump as the (potential) destroyer of democracy. And ignore the damage that Garland is doing to the justice system.
Timerman and Berlinski continue to show intellectual kinship to the American left - ignoring that the most virulent antisemitism is found in American universities and the lefty press.
Bluntly, they should look for a better class of friends.
Trump lives in their heads, degrading much of their writing with emotional content.
Still worth reading, but now the skepticism lights are flashing.
Shame to let a putz like Trump affect their credibility.
I wish Mr. Milei well but as Justin wrote, "This is Argentina . . ."
Years ago when I was living California, voters were allowed to register as a member of a political party. I was unhappy with the major parties so I registered as Libertarian. Libertarians had the best election night parties. We knew we weren't going to win so we had a good time. I saw a woman wearing a snake, a man dressed as Daniel Boone, and someone dressed as a cigar store Indian.
OBTW, I used to live in Venezuela (in the 70's when it was nice) and heard a lot of jokes about Argentines. The rest of Latin America views them as being
arrogant. A stereotype but there's some truth to it.
Argentina will keep vacillating between extreme left and extreme right promises, but the people seem to vote against their economic interests no matter what. Unlike in the USA, liberal democracy and the rule of law were historically seen as the religion of the elite, and the masses have long supported strongmen and strongwomen who promise "justice."