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Imagining the State and Building the Nation: The Case of Nineteenth‐Century Argentina
Author(s) -
Szuchman Mark D.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
history compass
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.121
H-Index - 1
ISSN - 1478-0542
DOI - 10.1111/j.1478-0542.2006.00303.x
Subject(s) - ideology , elite , authoritarianism , nationalism , state (computer science) , state building , sociology , political science , political economy , population , aesthetics , gender studies , law , democracy , politics , demography , algorithm , computer science , philosophy
This work analyzes the interplay between the development of the state in nineteenth‐century Argentina and the attempts to forge a sense of nation within a significant portion of the population. By distinguishing between the two concepts – state‐building and nation‐building – the study follows their different developmental paths. The historical literature is reviewed revealing two themes: a record of great economic and cultural development made possible by an elite inspired by liberal ideas derived principally from Europe, as contrasted with a conservative and nationalist view that celebrated the rural and native cultural norms. Regardless of their ideological perspectives, however, both sides shared a great deal of authoritarian traits and implemented measures aimed at establishing and maintaining social control through force.