The Argentine Presidential System

Abstract

This chapter outlines the main features of the Argentine presidential system. It is divided into two sections with an appendix. The first section describes the most relevant Argentine institutional traits, those established in the Constitution of 1853 as well as those which developed throughout the twentieth century. It states that the centrality of the Presidency is a distinctive feature of the Argentine political system and is a crucial factor in explaining the way in which policy-making processes have taken place in this country. Therefore, it focuses on the Presidency, its legislative powers, and the historical reasons for the enlargement of its prerogatives vis-à-vis the other institutions of government. The effects of constitutional arrangements, political instability, ‘movimientism’, and state growth on the institutions of government are weighed and assessed. The second section concentrates on the democratic regime inaugurated in 1983. It explores the chief characteristics of the political parties and the party system, and outlines the main features of the presidential regime in the context of this party configuration. It is argued that, despite being constrained by strong historical legacies, this regime exhibits its own novel characteristics, which constitute a dividing landmark.