> Mark Weisbrot chimes in
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> http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2012/apr/18/argentina-critics-oil-nationalise
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Argentina: the rise of corporatism http://www.economonitor.com/blog/2012/04/argentina-the-rise-of-neocorporatism/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=argentina-the-rise-of-neocorporatism&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed
Two paragraphs that I agree with...
------ "Unfortunately, Repsol did not particularly endear itself to the Argentine public during its tenure. Despite the deals that were cut with Nestor Kirchner, investment was very low. The Spanish oil company was never known for its technology or operating prowess, and it virtually used its YPF operations as a cash cow. Moreover, there is a tense undercurrent in Argentine society against its former colonizers. Despite the facts that Buenos Aires tries to emulate its European counterpart and most Argentines can trace part of their lineage to the Iberian Peninsula, they always felt like they were looked down upon by their Spanish cousins. Therefore, it’s no surprise that the government’s decision to “stick it” to the Spaniards was received with a wide round of applause."
" given the recent discoveries of huge shale oil and gas deposits in Neuquén, it may also mark the start of a new era of cheap energy for the country. Argentina may be a pariah in the international community, but it can’t be blamed for the recent moves. None of the other Latin American governments privatized to the same extent as Argentina, and none of them relinquished control over their national oil companies. These companies, such as Pemex, PDVSA, Ecopetrol, Petrobras and ENAP remain under the total or partial domain of the state. They are huge sources of politically-mandated contracts, social programs and employment. The last two decades marked the nadir of Argentine industrial history. Many of the large conglomerates disappeared, only to be replaced by foreign multinationals, such as Repsol, Telefonica and Santander."
The ending is total BS if you ask me.
"Sometimes, Marxist theories, such as corporatism, may provide some of the best insights to what is occurring today. In the meantime, we will see a lot of smiling Argentine faces as they see ample opportunities to provide sub-standard goods and services to state-owned companies at very inflated prices."
FC -- During times of Universal Deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act - George Orwell