Conservatives against the Tide: The Rise of the Argentine PRO in Comparative Perspective

This volume in the Elements series examines the success of conservative parties in non-authoritarian contexts in contemporary Latin America, comparing the cases of Argentina's Republican Proposal (PRO) party, Argentina's Recrear, Colombia's Democratic Center (CD) party, and Bolivia's Social Democratic Movement (MDS). Success has been driven by programmatic innovation, organizational mobilization, and elite fear of the Venezuela model.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 75 pages
Publication date: 06 July 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

This volume in the Elements series explores the remarkable success of conservative parties in non-authoritarian contexts across contemporary Latin America. It provides a comparative analysis of the core case of Argentina's Republican Proposal (PRO) party, placing it in the context of Argentina's Recrear and Colombia's Democratic Center (CD) party, as well as the Bolivia's Social Democratic Movement (MDS). Through extensive long-term research employing a diverse range of methods, this Element reveals that the success of these conservative parties has been propelled by three key factors: programmatic innovation by personalistic leaders, organizational mobilization of both core and noncore constituencies, and a deep-seated fear among elites of the Venezuela model.

The Republican Proposal (PRO) party in Argentina stands as a prime example of a conservative party that has achieved significant success in a non-authoritarian context. Founded in 1993 by former President Carlos Menem, PRO has consistently maintained a strong presence in Argentine politics, winning multiple elections and governing the country for several years. One of the key factors contributing to PRO's success has been its ability to adapt and innovate its programmatic offerings. Personalistic leaders, such as Menem and his successor, Nestor Kirchner, have been at the forefront of this effort, consistently tailoring their policies to appeal to a wide range of voters. PRO has successfully combined traditional conservative values with a more market-oriented approach, appealing to both economic conservatives and social liberals. This combination of policies has helped PRO to maintain its popularity and appeal across different demographic groups.

In addition to programmatic innovation, PRO has also been successful in mobilizing both core and noncore constituencies. The party has a strong grassroots presence and has been able to engage with voters on a personal level, building strong relationships and trust with its supporters. PRO has also been effective in leveraging social media and other digital platforms to reach a wider audience and mobilize support for its policies.

Another factor that has contributed to PRO's success is the fear among elites in Argentina of the Venezuela model. The Venezuelan government has been characterized by authoritarianism, corruption, and economic instability, and many in Argentina fear that a similar trajectory could be followed in their country. PRO has been able to capitalize on this fear by positioning itself as a conservative alternative to the Venezuelan model, promising to restore stability, economic growth, and democracy to Argentina.

The Recrear party in Argentina, on the other hand, has faced significant challenges in achieving success in a non-authoritarian context. Founded in 2003 by former President Eduardo Duhalde, Recrear has struggled to maintain a stable presence in Argentine politics and has failed to win any significant elections. One of the key factors contributing to Recrear's difficulties has been its inability to develop a clear and compelling programmatic vision. The party has been characterized by internal divisions and has struggled to establish a strong leadership structure. Additionally, Recrear has faced challenges in mobilizing both core and noncore constituencies, particularly in urban areas where the party has historically had limited support.

The Democratic Center (CD) party in Colombia has also experienced varying degrees of success in a non-authoritarian context. Founded in 1989 by former President César Gaviria, CD has been able to maintain a strong presence in Colombian politics and has won several elections. However, the party has faced challenges in consolidating its power and has been criticized for its lack of policy innovation and its reliance on traditional political tactics. CD has also struggled to mobilize both core and noncore constituencies, particularly in rural areas where the party has historically had limited support.

The Bolivia's Social Democratic Movement (MDS) has also faced challenges in achieving success in a non-authoritarian context. Founded in 1990 by former President Evo Morales, MDS has been able to win several elections and has been characterized by its left-wing ideology and its commitment to social justice and equality. However, the party has faced significant challenges in consolidating its power and has been criticized for its authoritarian tendencies and its disregard for democratic norms and institutions. MDS has also struggled to mobilize both core and noncore constituencies, particularly in urban areas where the party has historically had limited support.

In conclusion, the success of conservative parties in non-authoritarian contexts across contemporary Latin America has been driven by a combination of factors, including programmatic innovation by personalistic leaders, organizational mobilization of both core and noncore constituencies, and elite fear of the Venezuela model. While each conservative party has faced its own unique challenges and difficulties, the ability to adapt and innovate programmatically, engage with voters on a personal level, and capitalize on elite fears of the Venezuelan model has been key to their success. As Latin America continues to evolve and face new challenges, it will be interesting to see how these conservative parties continue to adapt and thrive in the changing political landscape.

ISBN-13: 9781009418249