Intellectual Precursors of Conservative Nationalism in Argentina, 1900-1927

Abstract

(c (1 OCIAL justice, political sovereignty, economic inde' pendence: Peronist slogan captured central aspirations of Argentine nationalism as it matured during late 1940S. At that point, as nationalist goals fused with pursuit of industrialization and advancement of popular welfare and power, Argentina developed modern brand of nationalism that in 1945 E. H. Carr called the socialization of nation, [and] nationalization of economic policy.' Peronism synthesized two hitherto disparate nationalist strands: a democratic nationalism whose roots lay in Yrigoyenista Radicalism and FORJA,2 and conservative nationalism, or nacionalismo, a complex species of Catholic corporatism that was partly influenced by fascism.3 The latter movement, on which this paper focuses, developed in two main stages, before and after 1927. That year saw creation of La Nueva Republica, first press organ to lead a sustained effort to disseminate nacionalistas' antiliberal, authoritarian, and militarist dogmas. At this point, too, nacionalistas began to emerge as contenders for political power, and to create organized pressure groups.4 Before 1927,