What is the context of this research?
Macri’s government stands accused of both seeking to revive the 1990s neoliberal agenda whilst also reversing the social progress achieved by the governments of Nestor Kirchner and Cristina Fernandez (2003-2015). Over a year into his term, distinct changes but also certain continuities can be observed between Macri and his predecessors. Rapprochement with the US through a personal relationship with Donald Trump and a desire to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), a large devaluation, and large cuts to public utility subsidies have been matched with more gradual policies such as the maintenance of socially progressive policies and the prioritisation of economic growth over inflation targeting.
What is the significance of this project?
Argentina is a development enigma. It is one of the only examples of a country that achieved developed status, and then “lost” it. Maintaining and refreshing our understanding of Argentine development and associated state-market and state-society relationships is key to understanding not only Argentina, but also developing key lessons regarding the current dynamics of development politics globally. In the context of spluttering emerging markets worldwide, Brexit, the election of Donald Trump and the apparent return to (neo)mercantilist policies in the USA, and an ever-present threat of a Chinese economic crisis understanding the form and function of a key emerging market with a chequered history of development is key.
What are the goals of the project?
I will be conducting necessary preparation activities in the first half of 2017. This will include exploring some preliminary findings with other relevant experts at a local (UK) conference in April 2017. The vast majority of the funds are for fieldwork expenses, which will be conducted in August 2017 in the city of Buenos Aires. Using a pre-established network as a result of many years living, working, and studying in Argentina I will be conducting semi-structured elite interviews with a number of key stakeholders (ranging from bankers, domestic corporations, Trade Unionists, government officials, and TNCs) in order to develop a rich empirical (qualitative) data set that can be complemented with more quantitative analysis that can be conducted within my institution.
This budget is intended to cover the costs associated with preparation for and conduct of fieldwork in Buenos Aires. The SLAS Annual Conference in April 2017 will be a great opportunity to present initial literature review findings to an expert audience, and offer invaluable preparation for the fieldwork. The fieldwork will be conducted in Buenos Aires during the month of August 2017. The timing is so that no additional funds are necessary to cover any of my teaching or administrative duties during semester time. The accommodation costs are relatively low as I intend to use informal personal networks where possible.