Argentina's First Peronist Economic Boom and Bust

In episode 28 of The Story of Argentina, Lucas and Luna revisit the post-WWII era to explore the dramatic economic transformation under Juan Domingo Perón's first presidency (1946–1955). After decades of liberal export-oriented policies, Perón's nationalization of railways, banks, and key industries—funded by wartime foreign reserves—triggered a short-lived boom. Wages soared, industrialization surged, and the working class gained unprecedented power. But when the reserves ran out and agricultural exports faltered, the economy crashed. Lucas explains the mechanics of the Five-Year Plans, the role of the IAPI (Instituto Argentino de Promoción del Intercambio), and how Perón's policies created a structural dependency on state spending that haunts Argentina to this day. The episode also touches on the opposition from conservative landowners and the military, the role of Eva Perón as a populist force, and the lasting legacy of 'Peronist economics'—a mix of social justice and fiscal irresponsibility that still defines Argentine politics. No prior deep knowledge of Peronism is required, but listeners of earlier episodes will find fresh context on the economic roots of Argentina's boom-and-bust cycles.

#Peron #Argentina #EconomicHistory #JuanDomingoPeron #IAPI #FiveYearPlans #Nationalization #Industrialization #EvaPeron #ArgentineEconomy #Populism #BoomAndBust #1940s #1950s #PostWar #History #FexingoHistory #LatinAmerica #BuenosAires #Gaucho

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