Society Without The Father. A Contribution to Social Psychology

The regime of Juan Peron is one of the most studied topics of Argentina's contemporary history. This new book an English translation of a highly popular, critically acclaimed Spanish language edition provides a new perspective on the intriguing Argentinian leader. Mariano Plotkin's cultural approach makes Peron's popularity understandable because it goes beyond Peron's charismatic appeal and analyzes the Peronist mechanisms used to generate political consent and mass mobilization. Manana es San Peron is the first book to focus on the cultural and symbolic dimensions of Peronism and populism. Plotkin also presents important material for the study of populism and the modern state in this region. Manana es San Peron explores the creation of myths, symbols, and rituals which constituted the Peronist political imagery. This political imagery was not designed to reinforce the legitimacy of a political system defined in abstract terms, but to assure the undisputed loyalty of different sectors of society to the Peronist government and to Peron himself. The evolution of the institutional framework that made the creation of this symbolic apparatus possible is also discussed.This well-researched book shows the methods designed by the Peronist regime to broaden its social base through the incorporation and activation of groups which had traditionally occupied a marginalized position within the political system-non-union workers, women, and the poor. Plotkin investigates how Peron used the education system to build his popularity. He examines the public assistance programs financed through the Eva Peron Foundation, and demonstrates how they were used to politicize women for the first time. He explains how Eva Peron and the Peronist regime not only tried to gain the support of women as voters but also as potential 'missionaries' who would spread the Peronist word in the privacy of their homes.This well-written and engaging account of one of Latin America's most colorful and appealing leaders is an excellent resource on Argentina and Latin American history and politics."