A new generation brings new values to Argentina's old political divisions.
Two political cultures coexist in Argentina. On the one hand, there is the culture based on confrontation, exclusion and antiquated ideology that has reigned for decades.This culture has led to a history of conflict and upheaval that has led to our country’s decline.On the other is a new political culture, conscious of the need to use dialogue as a means to ending longstanding conflicts, committed to the search for basic consensus and open to the idea of international insertion.For these rumblings of cultural change to have an effect will require change across all sectors of Argentine society, from business to politics.Securing it will allow Argentina to reengage in the world economy and finally return the country to the path of economic and social development.
In the beginning of the twentieth century, with its agricultural production and booming middle class, Argentina was considered to be on the brink of becoming a developed country.Sadly, despite our riches—both natural and human—in the last century we have fallen woefully behind.We’ve watched our standing decline on almost all measures of development and competitiveness: per capita GDP, human development, perception of corruption, and the rule of law.Try as we might to explain it, the responsibility ultimately lies with our inability to produce a ruling class capable of developing and maintaining a program for sustained development.
Alan Clutterbuck is the president and co-founder of Fundación Red de Acción Política (RAP–Political Action Network), and Paula Montoya is the executive director. RAP is a pluralist, nonpartisan foundation engaged in promoting the improvement of political leadership in Argentina.
