Reckoning with the Past, Grappling with the Present: Social Struggles, Authoritarianism and Democracy in Argentina
Abstract
March 24, 2026, marked the fiftieth anniversary of Argentina’s 1976 military coup, a turning point that inaugurated both a brutal dictatorship and a profound political, social, and economic transformation. The anniversary coincides with the presidency of Javier Milei, whose far-right agenda has renewed debates about the long-term legacies of authoritarianism and neoliberal restructuring. This article examines the historical trajectory linking the dictatorship (1976–1983) to contemporary Argentina, focusing on the working-class struggles of the 1960s and 1970s that became central targets of military repression. Rather than emphasizing only the victimization of those killed, imprisoned, or exiled, it highlights their political agency and aspirations for a more just, post-capitalist society. By analyzing the destruction of labor militancy and popular power, the discussion explores the dictatorship’s enduring economic, social, and political consequences, the conditions that enabled Milei’s rise, and the challenges facing contemporary movements seeking to resist his attacks on workers and recover transformative political horizons.
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