I love Argentina, and have been travelling there every year since 1992. I lived there for three years. Argentina is somewhat fortunate, in that has one third the area of the continental US, but only 39 million people. It has a LOT of resources, and provides much of the beef and crops destined for Europe. They have very few billionaires, and certainly the largest middle class in South America. Their economy does follow a socialist model, and certain things, like utilities and urban transportation, are subsidized to the point that they are almost free. University is free. Buenos Aires has free symphony concerts every Saturday at 6:00pm at the Law School of UBA. The city plants a lot of gardens, and they are at present turning many streets downtown into pedestrian only.
They also have no industry. Everyone works for the government. Unemployment and under employment are off the charts. They have the lowest long term GDP growth rate in the world, save for Haiti. Their inflation adjusted GDP just this year reached its 1974 high. No one has any money. Inflation this year will top 60%.
Buenos Aires has plenty of 'monobloques.' or high rise projects, but they are poorly maintained, with balconies falling off. Capos guard the entrances to these projects, and residents have to pay them to use the elevator. Despite these projects built to help the poor, the city has a lot of 'villas miserias,' or impromptu slums filled with homemade, precarious housing. 10% of the population is undocumented, and do not qualify for the many benefits afforded to citizens. Police cannot enter the villas, and they have no schools, hospitals or transportion. No real streets or fire protection. No addresses. No mail service.
Argentina is a quirky, wonderful place. But its success, such as it is, is largely due to its rich land and relatively small population. Not really a model for other countries.
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