Can Javier Milei’s radical libertarianism save Argentina?

Nevertheless, Mr Milei talks a good game. He is steeped in neoliberal economics, as he displays in a. He wants to privatise all the sclerotic state companies, dollarise the economy and reduce the country’s deficit to zero in his first year. His political and economic models, he says, are Australia, Israel, Ireland and New Zealand. For years talk of free-market capitalism has been a guaranteed vote-loser in bloated, statist Argentina. Past attempts to liberalise have all faltered.

This paper would be delighted if Mr Milei were to usher in a new age of liberalism in Argentina. However, that seems unlikely. His policies are poorly thought through. Far from building a consensus, he would struggle to govern. And if frustrated, some Argentines worry, he might conceivably turn authoritarian.Other countries have done it

, including Ecuador and El Salvador, and Argentina’s economy certainly needs bold reform. Dollarisation would immediately bring down inflation and end exchange-rate swings that wreak havoc on trade. But under such a system, Argentine banks and households would need a float of dollars to get up and running, which Mr Milei has no way of providing.

Mr Milei’s view of history is troubling, too. His running-mate, a former lawyer for soldiers accused of atrocities during Argentina’s military dictatorship of 1976-83, plays up the crimes of left-wing guerrillas who fought the junta, rather than the bloodier acts of the junta itself. Mr Milei says “both sides committed crimes”, a line that civil libertarians do not find reassuring. Intemperate, rash and outlandish: little about Mr Milei suggests he is the saviour Argentina needs.

United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Meet Javier Milei, the front-runner to be Argentina’s next presidentThe radical libertarian gives an interview to The Economist
Source: TheEconomist - 🏆 6. / 92 Read more »

Javier Milei would be a danger for democracy in ArgentinaDespite his neoliberal credentials, the presidential candidate has an authoritarian streak
Source: TheEconomist - 🏆 6. / 92 Read more »

- Javier Tebas 'sad' Lionel Messi will not finish career in La Liga with BarcelonaThe president of La Liga, Javier Tebas, has claimed it was a 'sad' ending for Lionel Messi and Barcelona following his exit to Pairs Saint Germain.
Source: goal - 🏆 59. / 63 Read more »

- Lionel Scaloni not interested in resting Lionel Messi for Argentina despite busy Inter Miami scheduleLionel Scaloni has revealed he has no intention to rest Lionel Messi for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, despite his rigorous workload in Miami.
Source: goal - 🏆 59. / 63 Read more »

Rugby World Cup 2023 team guides: Pool D - England, Argentina, Japan, Samoa, ChileWe look at everything you need to know from Rugby World Cup Pool D, as 2003 champions England, Argentina, Japan, Samoa and Chile clash...
Source: SkySportsNews - 🏆 60. / 63 Read more »

Argentina's Premiership spies will 'fill Pumas with confidence' for England clashFormer Argentina centre Marcelo Bosch has warned England to expect 'a more balanced game' when they take on the Pumas on Saturday
Source: i newspaper - 🏆 8. / 89 Read more »