Argentina

Population: 40,301,927 (July 2007 est.)

Regime History: Argentina has alternated democratic and military governments since the beginning of the twentieth century. The most influential Argentine political figure of the 20th century is Juan Domingo Perón, president from 1946 until he was deposed in a coup in 1955. His party was excluded from political participation over the next twenty years of alternation between elected and military governments. Peron returned to power in 1973, but died a year later and was succeeded by his second wife, Isabel. Her government faced economic troubles, labor unrest, political violence, and deep divisions within the Peronista party. In 1976, Isabel Perón was deposed by a military junta under the leadership of Jorge Rafael Videla. The government suspended political and trade union activity, and dissolved the congress. This military regime was the bloodiest in Argentina's history, using state violence and repression to kill and "disappear" thousands of citizens, under the excuse that they were suspected of undermining the government. During this period, the private debt was nationalized, and incoherent and erratic economic policy resulted in poor economic performance. In 1982, as a mechanism to gain public support, the military regime invaded and occupied the Falkland/ Malvinas Islands, under British control since 1832. British forces responded, forcing the surrender of Argentine forces within 6 weeks. The Argentine defeat led to Galtieri's resignation and to the end of military rule. In 1983, Raúl Alfonsin won the presidency, but persistent economic problems plagued his tenure in office. Carlos Menem, a Peronist, was elected president in 1988 and reelected in 1995. Menem's second presidency was plagued by opposition claims of government corruption. In 1999, Fernando de la Rœa of Alianza was elected president, soundly defeating the Peronist candidate. De la Rúa's victory was in part a rejection of Menem's perceived flamboyance and tolerance of corruption during his last term. By late 2000, however, de la Rúa's presidency was under siege on two fronts. The government coalition broke, and the economic crisis deepened. Ongoing economic problems led to a crisis of confidence as depositors began a run on the banks. Nationwide food riots and demonstrations erupted in late December, leading the president to resign. A series of interim presidents and renewed demonstrations ended with the appointment of Justicialist senator Eduardo Alberto Duhalde as president in 2002. Néstor Kirchner won the spring 2003 presidential race when former president Menem withdrew from the runoff election. Congress subsequently repealed two amnesty laws, passed in the 1980s, that had protected military officers accused of human rights offenses. During Kirchner's presidency, Argentina restructured its defaulted debt with a steep discount (about 66 percent) on most bonds, paid off outstanding debts with the International Monetary Fund, renegotiated contracts with utilities, and nationalized some previously privatized enterprises. Currently, Argentina is enjoying a period of high economic growth and political stability.

Organization: Argentina is a federal republic divided in 23 provinces and 1 autonomous city (Buenos Aires city, capital federal) which are similar to US states. However, this federalism contrasts with the fact that more than half the population and most of the economic activity are centralized in the Province of Buenos Aires, and specifically in the Autonomous city of Buenos Aires. The legal system is a mixture of US and West European legal systems; and it has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction. The last reform to the National Constitution was in 1994.

Economy: Argentina benefits from rich natural resources, a highly literate population, an export-oriented agricultural sector, and a diversified industrial base. Over the past decade, however, the country has suffered problems of inflation, external debt, capital flight, and budget deficits. The economic situation worsened in 2001 with the widening of spreads on Argentine bonds, massive withdrawals from the banks, and a further decline in consumer and investor confidence. Currently, Argentina suffers from high levels of unemployment and poverty, as well as a high public debt (61% of GDP in 2006, down from 118% of GDP in June 2004)
GDP per capita (purchasing power parity) is $15,200 (2006 est.), which is the highest in Latin America.
Population below poverty line: 26.9% (July-December 2006)
Unemployment rate: 8.7% (2006 est.)

Ethnic groups: 97% white (mostly Spanish and Italian), 3% mestizo (mixed white and Amerindian ancestry), Amerindian, and other non-white groups