Catholicism and Politics in Argentina, 1810-1960

Book excerpt: A rare study of Catholicism in Latin-American politics prior to Vatican II, this work examines the role of Catholics and Catholic theology in the development of Argentine political history. The author challenges standard interpretations in arguing that Argentine authoritarianism derives principally from the Enlightenment offshoots of liberalism and popular nationalism. The author argues that the tension between these strains, and a broad humanistic cultural framework informed by the Catholic tradition, helps to explain Argentine political instability, while shedding new light on leaders and movements, and especially Peronism.