Buenos Aires, the giant that cannot stand on its own feet

Abstract

The most salient feature of the political position of Buenos Aires province in the post-1880 era, this article suggests, is its weakness. Its capital city, La Plata, never acquired real political standing, and had to live under the shadow of Buenos Aires city, the Argentine federation capital. This article explores the reasons why, unlike any other province, the ruling groups of Buenos Aires province failed to develop an autonomous space for civic debate and political competition. Finally, I suggest how changes in the political landscape of Argentina’s largest and most important province should be addressed.