Poster Presentation academic Politician in Argentina Buenos Aires –Free Word Template Download with AI

The figure of the politician in Argentina, particularly within the capital city of Buenos Aires, has undergone a profound transformation over the last two decades. This poster presentation explores the sociological and political shifts that have redefined political representation in one of Latin America's most complex urban environments. Historically defined by strong personalist leadership and Peronist hegemony, contemporary politics in Argentina is characterized by institutional volatility, economic crises, and a growing disconnect between traditional parties and the electorate.

Focusing specifically on Buenos Aires, this study analyzes how the urban dynamics of the city act as a crucible for national political trends. The capital serves not only as the administrative heart of Argentina but also as an ideological battleground where class stratification, civil society mobilization, and digital activism intersect. We argue that the modern Politician in this context can no longer rely solely on traditional clientelistic networks or charismatic appeal; they must navigate a fragmented media landscape and an increasingly demanding civic population.

To understand the current state of the politician in Argentina, one must contextualize the historical trauma of economic collapse. The crisis of 2001-2003, which resulted in massive social unrest (the "corralito" and subsequent protests), fundamentally shattered trust in traditional political institutions. For many citizens, the label "politician" became synonymous with corruption and ineffectiveness.

Theoretical analysis draws upon the concepts of "political exhaustion" described by local sociologists. In this framework, the Buenos Aires resident is not necessarily apathetic but rather critically engaged yet deeply skeptical of institutional promises. This skepticism forces the modern politician to adopt a more transactional approach to governance, focusing on immediate urban service delivery rather than grand ideological narratives.

This presentation synthesizes data from mixed-methods research conducted between 2018 and 2023 in the autonomous city of Buenos Aires. The approach includes:

• Spatial Analysis: Examining the correlation between neighborhood socioeconomic status (Segregación Urbana) and voting patterns for different political profiles.
• Digital Ethnography: Analyzing social media discourse on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram to track how politicians communicate with youth demographics in Palermo, Recoleta, and La Boca.
• Semi-Structured Interviews: Conducting interviews with 25 key political actors, including city councilors (Concejales), national legislators representing Buenos Aires districts, and leaders of civil society organizations such as the Madres de Plaza de Mayo.

The analysis reveals a distinct shift in the archetype of the successful politician. While traditional Peronist leaders still command significant loyalty, especially among lower-income sectors in peripheral boroughs (such as Florencio Varear and Quilmes, though technically part of Greater Buenos Aires/AMBA), the autonomous capital city exhibits different trends.

4.1 The Technocratic Turn

In affluent areas like Puerto Madero and Belgrano, there is a growing preference for politicians who present themselves as technocrats or managers rather than ideologues. This reflects the influence of neoliberal policies implemented during the administrations of Mauricio Macri and Horacio Rodríguez Larreta. The expectation here is efficiency: garbage collection, public safety, and infrastructure maintenance are prioritized over symbolic political gestures.

4.2 Social Media as a Political Tool

Digital presence is now non-negotiable. In Buenos Aires, the "Politician" must be a content creator. Real-time engagement on crises—such as flooding in low-lying areas or transportation strikes—determines public perception faster than traditional press conferences. The study found that politicians who fail to maintain a digital narrative lose relevance within weeks.

4.3 The Role of Feminism and Civil Society

Buenos Aires has been at the forefront of feminist movements in Latin America, culminating in the landmark legalizations regarding abortion. Consequently, modern politicians must align themselves with social justice movements to maintain legitimacy. A politician ignoring gender perspectives or environmental concerns faces immediate backlash from the active civil society groups based in the city.

A critical finding is the spatial polarization of political opinion within Buenos Aires. The city is not a monolith; it is deeply divided by geography.

• The Center/North: Tends to support liberal, center-right policies emphasizing order and economic liberalism.
• The South/West: Historically stronger for Peronism and left-wing coalitions, prioritizing social welfare and state intervention.

This division creates a challenge for national politicians who must run campaigns in the capital. They cannot use a one-size-fits-all message. The "Politician" must be bilingual in political code, speaking to the security concerns of the affluent neighborhoods while simultaneously addressing poverty and housing rights in marginalized areas.

The role of the politician in Argentina, particularly in Buenos Aires, is evolving from a figure of paternalistic authority to one of negotiated representation. The era of blind loyalty has passed, replaced by a demand for transparency, technical competence, and social empathy.

For researchers and practitioners alike, understanding this dynamic is crucial. Buenos Aires serves as a microcosm for the broader struggles facing Argentine democracy: economic instability vs. social demands; centralization vs. local autonomy; and traditional populism vs. civic liberalism.

Future research should focus on the impact of provincial migration to Buenos Aires on voting behavior and how emerging technologies (such as AI in campaigning) will further reshape the identity of the politician in this volatile region.

• Gervasoni, C., & Peruzotti, E. (2018). *Clientelism and Urban Politics in Buenos Aires*. Latin American Research Review.
• Moraña, M. (2016). *Emotional Modernity and the Crisis of the Argentine Subject*. University of Pittsburgh Press.
• Pérez, J. D. (2015). *The Politics of Identity in Contemporary Argentina*. Routledge.
• Statistical Data from INDEC (Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos) regarding electoral participation in the City of Buenos Aires, 2019-2023.
• Social Media Analytics Report by Digital Agency Localis, *Political Discourse Trends in AMBA*, 2023.