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Trump, Boris Johnson, Jair Bolsonaro, and now Javier Milei. These are a few of the most well-known politicians who can credit their popularity and notability to their eccentric, radical and non-traditional rhetoric. The latest of these, Javier Milei, is the frontrunner in Argentina’s latest presidential election after gaining popularity as a far-right economist on TikTok. After defeating Argentina’s main political candidates in the primary elections, Milei is in a good position to win the most votes.
Known for his five cloned dogs named after conservative economists and his declaration of being able to communicate with his dog in the afterlife, Javier Milei is a prime example of the rise in popularity of less politically correct and non-traditional candidates. Although these may appear to be separate from his politics, it is important to acknowledge that his radical personality intertwines with his radical proposals to improve the country.
Milei is proposing a complete change in currency to the US Dollar and the ‘blowing up’ of Argentina’s central bank, claiming that he will ‘chainsaw’ Argentina’s economic and political status quo, even bringing a chainsaw to a campaign event to represent this. Additionally, his radical proposals include: ending free and compulsory education, replacing it with a school voucher system, gradually privatising the healthcare system, deregulating the arms market, and stopping mandatory sex education. Although seemingly unorthodox, these proposals have caught the attention of Argentinian voters enough to make him the most likely winner.
The role of social media in Milei’s campaign can be demonstrated by the fact his main supporters are young people, particularly young men. These figures are surprising given that Argentina’s youth have not traditionally supported right-wing forces, indicating that his engagement with controversial topics such as identity politics, gender equality and abortion rights in interviews has proved popular amongst the most unlikely of supporters. Young Argentinians seem to be fed up with traditional politicians who have ruined the economy and caused skyrocketing youth unemployment rates, and are instead turning towards what they view as the more no-nonsense candidate who is unafraid to be politically incorrect. The shift from voting based on support for a party or political experience to voting based on the individual was primarily championed by Donald Trump, whose dramatic and erratic campaign style drew a cult-like following that gained him the presidency. Milei’s career trajectory seems to mirror this. Additionally, his attitude and proposals are appealing to Argentinians who are frustrated with the 138% inflation figure, and the poverty that this is causing in over two-fifths of the population.
The tendency for populist and right-wing parties to encourage strong friend-enemy distinctions is again present: forming a common enemy generally made up of socialism, social justice and identity politics. This is a common enemy that Milei too is attempting to form, with his description of climate change as a ‘socialist lie’ serving as a prime example of the creation of an ‘us versus them’ dynamic. With Milei being compared to the likes of Donald Trump, it brings into question why political tides across the world are shifting towards right-wing populist candidates with unconventional and eccentric political strategies.
Whether it is because of their desperation to heal a broken and struggling economy or simply the appeal of Milei’s extreme and radical personality and ideas, Argentina’s attraction to Milei could result in him securing the presidency. This outcome would destabilise the Argentinian political and social landscape, as evidenced by the chaotic nature of the presidencies of Donald Trump and Jair Bolsonaro, who are similar characters. Although Argentinians are looking for new ways to escape from stifling inflation and increasing unemployment, placing faith in unpredictable and divisive candidates has not previously proven to have beneficial outcomes, and will most likely not be successful for Argentina this time.
Image: Angelica Reyes, 2020//CC0 1.0 DEED
Amazing work Maya Perera. Well done