Abstract

GOMEZ-LENDE, Sebastián. Extractivist Model in Argentina (1990-2016): From Classic Neoliberal Extractivism to Progressive Neo-Extractivism? Three Case Studies. Soc. Econ. [online]. 2019, n.36, pp.82-105. ISSN 1657-6357.  https://doi.org/10.25100/sye.v0i36.7458.

According to the literature, the current Latin American neo-extractivist paradigm would differ from the neoliberal, “classic” extractive pattern due to the lower relative weight of foreign private capital and, consequently, the appropriation by the State of a substantial piece of the surplus through several mechanisms (e.g. normative and institutional reforms, increase of pre-existent taxes, creation of public enterprises, imposing export taxes, etc.). This paper critically examines such claims and empirically contrasts them for the Argentinean case by analyzing three sectors: agribusiness, sea fishing, and metal mining. Opposite to the literature’s statements, the article’s findings show that the Argentinean extractive pattern does not represent a model of pure neo-developmentalist progressivism but an extremely paradoxical accumulation regime where the larger State intervention coexists with the growing presence of foreign private capital and where the dominance of the classic, neoliberal attributes and the modern neo-extractivist features strongly depends on the economic activities considered.

Keywords : extractive industries; neoliberalism; progressivism; Argentina.

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