In view of a new replacement of the authorities of the National Committee As a member of the Unión Cívica Radical, the oldest political party in the region, it is appropriate to ask ourselves a question, leaving aside the traditional endogamous and nostalgic view of its supporters: does the survival of a political party with values and principles like the UCR represent a concrete contribution to the present and future of Argentine democracy? If the answer is affirmative, a second question immediately arises: on the basis of what sermon and in representation of what current ideas and aspirations would it make sense to continue to attract them?
To investigate it is required A comprehensive look, starting with the division of three budgets: It is necessary reconstitute a party system in accordance with Article 38 of our national constitution; It is crucial to strengthen a centripetal tendency so that the democratic game confirms dialogue and allows the achievement of minimal common denominators. In order to contribute effectively to the achievement of the above objectives, the UCR must reaffirm that it is an opposition party in the current circumstances.
It may be a naive vision to preach in the desert where centrifugal and polarizing politics, omniscient and predictive leadership, instant communication, the erosion of democratic practices, the brutalization of language and the weakening of institutions stand out. However, we do not have to believe a certain, somewhat cynical thought that advises inventing new practices adapted to the needs of a time in which more than just politics, a comprehensive struggle is being practiced. Efforts must focus on rebuilding democratic and institutional functioning.
So, The first conclusion makes us realize how necessary a Republican, reformist political party with Democratic credentials willing to defend itself while abandoning what a party that “sells democracy” has little to offer in the face of its consolidation. The validity of the “democratic method” that ensures us free and peaceful elections to elect rulers does not mean abandoning the “democratic ideal” that reminds us that when abuse of power, decisionism, lack of participation and inequality increase, we face a democratic problem, as Emilio Gentile argues in the recent book by Mariano Schuster The past is not dead.
If anything can Be proud The UCR is responsible for its role in restoring democracy, defending human rights and its culture of dialogue and tolerance, all core elements of its DNA, which are of paramount importance in the face of a government as culturally and socially reactionary as the LLA.
What yes It’s important to accept is that democracy has failed to improve the well-being of Argentines, which makes us confirm that the present we are living through has a lot to do with frustration that turns into anger and is then exploited politically. This does not justify the conclusion that all Milei voters support the destruction of the state or its resizing through ideas as crude as the chainsaw, or that their demands for health, education or the provision of other public goods are lower.
From this We can confirm the approach then the answer would be round on the way of exercising resistance, on the primary themes that would make up the story and on the actualization of some ideas that radicalism has defended in the past, concentrating its discourse on a proposal with a central axis in the middle class, taking into account that the mere generalization of questions about specific abuses of the government, without prior clarification or self-criticism, only tends to favor confusion with one of the extremes, increasing polarization and one’s own identity to blur.
Therefore, a party that wants to regain middle-class representation must shed old stereotypes and ideological prejudices and rebuild its own history. No one in the world denies the importance of maintaining balance Macroeconomics as a necessary prerequisite for growth. Highlighting its inadequacy for a socially and territorially balanced development and highlighting the role of the state is one of the basic premises of this discourse and a real opportunity in the current situation.
Faced with a government that limits its responsibility in economic affairs to order If we want to expand the discourse and the proposal of a central force, it is imperative to propose public policies for productive development through a smart state, not limited only to protecting or subsidizing, promoting innovation and international integration of our economy.
Concern for production, defense of SMEs, commercial opening What society deems necessary is becoming more selective and gradual, and in particular the unclear middle class, which needs to be convinced of an obvious fact: the social problem of their impoverishment as a class will not be solved “from the right”; To achieve this, other policy measures are required.
In this set of ideas, no one suggests lowering traditional flags as a defensive measure of public education. However, it seems logical to wonder about its increasing decline and the reasons that are gradually reducing it to a second-rate option. We could say the same about the university system and its low graduation rate or lack of strategic planning; also for public health. All worrying problems for the middle and lower middle classes of society.
It’s about escaping the defense in total certain postulates that have become anachronistic slogans, representative of a status quo conservative and complacent, empty of content and perceived by society – and especially by young people – as pure rhetoric.
In the same order, there is also the need not to appear to be in denial or reserved. to the discussions on structural reforms aimed at stimulating the economy with an orderly deregulation policy aimed at building trust in the markets, with an emphasis on the right design of these reforms from an inclusive perspective.
None of these or any other proposals should be perceived as outside the political mainstream. One could say that some postulates are further to the right than the historical positions of much of our leadership, but none go beyond the center that we need to strengthen today.
The result of the last national elections gives us the opportunity to confirm this that Argentine society is not ready to return to the past, as it does not agree with many of the government’s postulates and axioms and is still strongly influenced by the fear of catastrophe. Interpreting their needs, wants and desires requires building a rational opposition focused on consolidating a middle option, moderation and common sense. The vacancy caused by the ongoing crisis of Peronism itself increases the possibilities of representation, the dynamics of which require a balance of opposition. Gaps in policy tend to be filled and acceptance of hegemony should not be part of the plans of a party with the characteristics of the UCR.
Approaching an answer and in order of importance Given his contribution to building a democratic center, it is worth keeping an eye on two crucial aspects of his record. At a time when society’s disgust for politicians is far from extinguished, the memory of Yrigoyen, Alvear, Illia, Alfonsín and De la Rúa, who left the nation’s presidency poorer than when they started, continues to make a difference. Even if the technological revolution and the digital age tend to weaken this, it is no small thing that the UCR remains one of the parties with the largest territorial presence. A political organization with five governors, hundreds of mayors and parliamentary representation in Congress and in the assemblies of all provinces makes us think of the existence of a latent vote, perhaps resentful of the party for various reasons, but which, as can be seen, manifests itself in subnational elections.
If the UCR is can combine A narrative of its own, a discourse in line with the demands of a society that continues to maintain its drive for social progress and justice and is only willing to look forward, will continue to be the political formation best placed to reassemble a center option, not for the benefit of the radicals themselves, but in the service of the democracy of all Argentines.
Lawyer, several times provincial MP, former national MP and parliamentary secretary and pro-secretary of the Senate of the Nation
About The Author
