trying to get caught up...

Ok. I haven’t done a very good job of keeping up with the blog since coming to BsAs. Part of the reason is that the program really kept us busy (which is a good thing). Also most of my internet time has been “on the clock” so I’ve been limited to keeping up with email and some other basic tasks.

The formal part of the program is now over. I’m staying in BsAs a few more days just as a tourist. Tomorrow my South American tour enters its last stage with a three day swing through Uruguay.

Just like Chile, all the lectures were very good. A quick run-down:
• For the economic side of things we learned about MERCOSUR (the South American customs union with Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay) and factory takeovers by workers. This latter topic also involved a tour of such a factory (printing). During the financial crisis of 01-02 a number of factories were closed. Sometimes the workers would “take over” the factory and try to keep it running. These takeovers illustrate a different way of seeing property rights. Some of the factories certainly could have been sold and the proceeds given to the debtors (in the U.S. this certainly woud be the case). However when the public situation (unemployment, poverty) is teetering on chaotic, the Argentine government was not about to intervene in a circumstance where people are trying to keep their little corner of the economy going.
• There were also presentations on women’s issues, soccer and Argentine film. Given that Argentina is predominately Catholic country, and the church takes a very active role in society, there are clearly points of tension on issues dealing with reproductive choices. “Futbol” is a much-loved sport in Argentina and club affiliation (e.g. River Plate and Boca Juniors) provides an important sense of identity for many fans. Unfortunately one sector of the rabid fan base, “barras bravas” takes the affilation a bit too far; frequently resorting to violence with fans of other clubs. Argentine film is enjoying a bit of resurgence since the 01/02 crisis. We saw selections from two fims, “Los Rubios” and “Opus”. Los Rubios (the Blonds) represents a filmmaker’s attempt (very creative) to resolve the mysteries surrounding her parents’ disappearance during the military dictatorship. “Opus” is a documentary, again with a very creative format, looking at the public school issues in rural Argentina (I know, doesn’t sound so interesting, but this film uses a very unique narrative.).
• Of course there we also learned about the human rights issues involving kidnappings and tortures by the military government during the 76-83 dictatorship. I should devote another blog entry to this topic later. For now I’m going to include a picture of the “Madres de Plaza del Mayo” during their weekly protest march. Yes you’ll see a certain U.S. university professor in their with them.