The Developmental State is Dead, Long Live the Developmental Regime! Interpreting Néstor Kirchner’s Argentina 2003-2007

The post crisis administration of Néstor Kirchner (2003-2007) saw significant changes in the political economy of Argentina. After characterising these changes this article attempts to place the evidence within an appropriate meta-theoretical interpretation. The article concludes that whilst elements of historical forms of political economy exist in Néstor Kirchner’s regime – elements of populism, elements of neoliberalism – in its entirety one must look to other explanations not traditionally associated with Latin America, i.e. the developmental regime. Such a conclusion facilitates both an enhanced understanding of post-crisis Argentine political economy, and an opportunity to further develop a developmental regime approach.