Published online by Cambridge University Press: 31 May 2012
This article studies the growth and decline of Argentine exports of manufactured goods during the 1940s and 1950s. In a context that was favourable due to the global scarcity of manufactured goods, Argentine industry managed to sell its products in several foreign markets, especially in Latin America, during the Second World War. In the post-war period, however, exports declined and returned to the levels of the 1930s. After 1950 the Peronist administration again tried to stimulate exports through the use of various incentives, but they did not revive. The article examines the reasons for this decline, the role played by the economic, commercial and industrial policies of the Peronist era, and the problems that Argentine industry faced in remaining competitive. Based on this analysis, the paper questions the interpretation that argues that exporting manufactured goods was a viable path for development for import substitution industrialisation countries in the post-war world. In this respect the paper contributes to the discussion of different paths towards economic development in Latin America.
Este artículo estudia el crecimiento y la declinación de las exportaciones de manufacturas durante las décadas de 1940 y 1950. En un contexto favorable debido a la escasez de productos industriales en el mercado mundial, la industria argentina logró exportar diversos artículos a distintos mercados, especialmente de América Latina, durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial. Sin embargo, en los años de la inmediata posguerra, las exportaciones de manufacturas declinaron hasta niveles similares a la década de 1930. A partir de 1950, el gobierno peronista promovió las exportaciones industriales mediante el empleo de diversos instrumentos, pero éstas continuaron estancadas. El artículo examina las razones de la declinación, el papel de las políticas económicas, industriales y comerciales del peronismo, y los problemas de competitividad del sector manufacturero. En base a este análisis, el trabajo cuestiona la interpretación que sostiene que la exportación de manufacturas constituía una alternativa de desarrollo para las economías que habían iniciado el proceso de industrialización por sustitución de importaciones. En este sentido, el artículo busca contribuir a la discusión de los diferentes caminos hacia el desarrollo en América Latina.
Este artigo avalia o crescimento e declínio da exportação de bens manufaturados argentinos durante as décadas de 1940 e 1950. Em um contexto que era favorável devido à escassez mundial de produtos manufaturados, a indústria argentina pôde vender seus produtos em diversos mercados estrangeiros, especialmente da América Latina, durante a Segunda Guerra Mundial. Entretanto, durante o período pós-guerra as exportações diminuíram retornando aos níveis da década de 1930. Após 1950, a administração peronista tentou, através da aplicação de diversas iniciativas, a estimular novamente as exportações, porém elas não reavivaram. O artigo examina as razões desse declínio, o papel desempenhado pelas políticas econômicas, comerciais e industriais da era peronista e os problemas que a Argentina enfrentou para permanecer competitiva. Baseado nestas análises, o artigo questiona a interpretação que sustenta que a exportação de artigos manufaturados foi um caminho de desenvolvimento viável para com a política de industrialização por substituição de importações no mundo pós-guerra. Dessa forma o artigo contribui para a discussão de diferentes caminhos em direção ao desenvolvimento econômico na América Latina.
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12 See Cámara de Diputados de la Nación, Congreso de la Nación, Argentina, Diario de Sesiones de la Cámara de Senadores de la Nación (hereafter Diario de Sesiones) (1940), vol. 2, pp. 377, 385–8Google Scholar; and Llach, ‘El Plan Pinedo’, pp. 523–4. See also Cramer, Argentinien im Schatten, pp. 97–100; and ‘Argentine Riddle’, pp. 538–9.
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14 Diario de Sesiones (1940), vol. 2, p. 377. For an opposing view criticising the absence of clear definitions regarding the desired profile of industry, see ibid., pp. 432–3.
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20 The other measures were the creation of the Dirección General de Fabricaciones Militares (General Directorate of Military Industries, DGFM) and the state merchant fleet: see Llach, ‘El Plan Pinedo’, p. 540. A Comité de Exportación y de Estimulo Industrial y Comercial (Committee for Exports and the Promotion of Trade and Industry) was also created, with similar functions to those that would be carried out by the CPI: Decreto 87.040/41, Anales de Legislación Argentina (1942), pp. 227–8.
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31 Hopkins believed that steel production was not worthwhile, even for defence reasons, since, in the event of war, Argentina would be unable to import iron or coal: see ibid., pp. 81–2.
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