Marcelo Leiras

La ciencia política en Argentina: el camino de la institucionalización dentro y fuera de las aulas universitarias

This article analyzes the development of political science in Argentina. It defends four theses. First, that the development of the scientific analysis of politics in Argentina stems from the professionalization and internal differentiation of social sciences, is centered in universities and is highly vulnerable to regime change. Second, that in the last few years the discipline’s academic autonomy grows, supported by the growth of university undergraduate and graduate programs. Its autonomy as a field of professional practice evolves at a slower pace. Third, that research agendas reflect mainly the priorities of decision makers, international scholarly communities and personal trajectories of local practitioners. Public concerns play a less significant role. Finally, that the specific contribution of political scientists to political analysis still struggles to clearly define its difference from interventions made by jurists, sociologists, economists and journalists.

Who Wants an Independent Court? Political Competition and Supreme Court Autonomy in the Argentine Provinces (1984-2008)

Political competition should protect judicial autonomy. A host of studies produce evidence that is consistent with this expectation. The influence of political competition operates through two distinct mechanisms: fragmentation and turnover. Most empirical studies treat them as mutually reinforcing. We explain why each of these effects should be most clear when the other one is inactive: when power is concentrated only the expectation of turnover may protect judicial autonomy; when turnover seems unlikely only fragmentation should prevent interferences on the judiciary. We test these hypotheses using an original data set comprising all justices that served in the 24 provincial supreme courts in Argentina between 1984 and 2008. Results of a survival model with competing risks support our argument. The effect of fragmentation is discernible when turnover seems unlikely. The expectation of turnover restrains incumbents particularly when power is concentrated.

ARGENTINA: PROBLEMAS MACROECONÓMICOS, CONFLICTO SOCIAL Y DEBILITAMIENTO DE LA COALICIÓN DE GOBIERNO

En 2008 las dificultades para resolver problemas macroeconomicos debilitaron las bases de sustentacion politica del gobierno nacional argentino. Este problema comun presenta en este caso rasgos singulares. Tiene lugar tras cuatro anos de muy buen desempeno economico y social y luego de un resultado electoral claramente favorable al oficialismo. Con el proposito de incrementar los ingresos publicos, el gobierno nacional propuso aumentar la tasa de retencion a las exportaciones agropecuarias. Los productores y sus organizaciones representantes resistieron fuertemente la medida, que finalmente fue derrotada en el Congreso. Tras la derrota legislativa y una caida en la imagen publica, el gobierno recompuso parcialmente su posicion, apoyandose en la estructura basica de su coalicion legislativa y promoviendo propuestas que pudieran sumar aliados ideologicamente motivados. El impacto de la crisis internacional y el resultado de las elecciones de renovacion legislativa de 2009 pondran a prueba la robustez de la coalicion recompuesta.

La ciencia política en Argentina 2005-2014: El camino de la consolidación dentro y fuera de las aulas universitarias

This article argues that political science in Argentina is expanding. Between 2005 and 2014 its development as a discipline and social relevance have grown. We base our argument on an examination of enrollment and graduation data, a selection and analysis of books, a bibliometric analysis of journals and a survey of the presence of political scientists in politics. In spite of unavoidable internal debates, political science in Argentina is undergoing its best moment ever.