Dignifying Argentina : Peronism, citizenship, and mass consumption / Eduardo Elena.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Elena, Eduardo, 1972-

Series:

Pitt Latin American series

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Peronism--Economic aspects.

Peronism.

Populism.

History.

Citizenship.

Households--Economic aspects.

Consumption (Economics).

Argentina--Economic policy.

Argentina.

Economic policy.

Argentina--Economic conditions--1945-1983.

Economic conditions.

Argentina--Politics and government--1943-1955.

Politics and government.

Consumption (Economics)--Argentina--History--20th century.

Households--Economic aspects--Argentina--History--20th century.

Households.

Citizenship--Argentina--History--19th century.

Populism--Argentina--History--20th century.

Physical Description:

x, 332 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm.

Place of Publication:

Pittsburgh, Pa. : University of Pittsburgh Press, [2011]

Summary:

During the mid-twentieth century, Latin American countries witnessed unprecedented struggles, over the terms of national sovereignty, civic participation, and social justice. No-where was this more, visible than in, Peronist Argentina (1946-1955), where Juan and Eva Perón led the region's largest, populist movement in pursuit of new political hopes and material desires. Eduardo Elena considers this transformative moment from a fresh perspective by exploring the intersection of populism and mass consumption. He argues that Peronist actors redefined national citizenship around expansive promises of a vida digna (dignified life), which encompassed not only the satisfaction of basic wants but also die integration of working Argentines: into a modern, consumer society.

Drawing on documents such as the correspondence between Peronist sympathizers and authorities, Elena sheds light on the contest over the vida digna. He shows how the consumer aspirations of citizens overlapped with Peronist paradigms of state-led development, but not without generating great friction among allies and opposition from diverse sectors of society. Consumer practices encouraged intense public scrutiny of class and gender comportment, and everyday objects became charged with new cultural meaning. By providing important insights on why Peronism struck such a powerful chord, Dignifying Argentina situates. Latin America within, the broader history of citizenship and consumption at midcentury and provides innovative ways to understand the politics of redistribution in the region today. Book jacket.

Contents:

Introduction : Peronism and the midcentury moment

An imperfect abundance

Standards for a new Argentina

The war on speculation

Needs, wants, and comforts

Parables of prodigality

The counterpolitics of voice

Ironies of adjustment

The dignified life and beyond.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9780822961703

0822961709

OCLC:

725298779