Public policies for the popular economy in Argentina: tensions, advances and perspectives

Abstract

This document analyzes the process of institutionalization of policies for the popular economy during the Frente de Todos government (2019 to the present), whose particularity lies in hosting, as part of the government coalition, the social organizations of the popular economy. For this, the article analyzes the modality of implementation, that is, the type of state instruments to which it gave rise, as well as the emerging tensions during the implementation process. To fulfill this objective, a qualitative-quantitative approach is assumed that integrates documentary analysis techniques, survey of journalistic information, interviews with key informants with the production of statistical data of a budgetary and benefit nature. The hypothesis that guides the work maintains that the policies have reached a degree of incipient institutionalization, from the implementation of old programs, as well as the creation of new interventions related to a varied set of problems related to the reproduction of life. However, it is argued that there have been difficulties to institutionalize those actions capable of transforming the productive and social structure with greater force, as well as to make visible and recognize the forms of activity in their exploited labor condition. The policies actually implemented show the continuous political leadership of popular economy organizations, but also the reconversion of some of their proposals into the canons of more conventional programs, in a context of economic and political crisis.