According to its preface this book is an analysis of “Argentina’s national and international situation in terms of the dilemmas posed by the geographical strengths and weaknesses of the nation, its historical experience, and the cultural value system or social psychology of the people” (pp. 4-5). About half of the book is devoted to a historical survey which emphasizes the 1930-1965 period without neglecting the more important features of earlier eras. In general this section is very well done; there are good explanations of the causes of the 1930, 1943, and 1955 revolutions and an outstanding analysis of the Peronist period which points out both its positive and its negative aspects. On the other hand, the author is much too critical of Yrigoyen and probably not critical enough of Frondizi. There appear to be relatively few factual errors; however, the brevity with which many topics are treated may well lead the reader to erroneous conclusions.
The historical survey is followed by an excellent chapter on “Argentina and the World Outside” which emphasizes four major features of Argentine foreign policy: neutralism, absolute sovereignty, nonintervention, and leadership in Latin America. The author demonstrates Argentina’s virtually constant devotion to these principles for over a century. It might be added that the analysis of United States-Argentine relations is remarkably free of pro-U. S. bias.
The final section is a very interesting interpretation of “Argentine Development and Social Psychology.” In answer to the question asked by all students of Argentine affairs, “What is lacking for the country to complete the advance to modernism?” the author replies: “Probably psychological maturity…. Argentina needs to make a psychological transition that will work toward the greater integration of the people and release energy for modernization, energy now blocked by the social tensions and fragmentation caused by conflicting value attitudes” (p. 111). The book closes with this prophetic statement: “If the crisis of this generation drifts on, under titular management of the Radical Party, it is difficult to see how Argentina can escape another dictatorship” (p. 117).
