Many experts debate the role of culture and popular culture in politics and democracy, arguing that popular culture can actually help shape political decisions. This relationship between popular culture and politics is very strong in Argentina, and can be seen in relation to the wildly popular soccer, the Argentine-born tango, and the legacy of Eva Perón.
Soccer has always had a strong relationship in affecting or even mirroring political relations in Argentina. Soccer is more than just a sport to the Argentines, it’s a way of life; it’s ingrained in the lifestyle and culture. Thus, soccer in the Argentine popular culture influences the political culture, both within the country and internationally. The political culture of Argentina has always dealt with class struggle between the lower-middle class and the elites. However, one area in which soccer transcends the class barriers, not only in Argentina, but around the world as well is in the fact that everyone supports the national team. During the World Cup, for example, the Argentine national soccer team is the country; nothing else matters during that tournament. Everyone is united under the blue and white flag; cheering for this one entity, cheering for Argentina. Even today, political culture is influenced by soccer. In the gubernatorial race in Buenos Aires, the leading candidate is Mauricio Macri, who happens to be the president of the ever-popular Boca Juniors soccer club, could use Boca's popularity to enhance his campaign. Boca Juniors and its “cross-town” rivals River Plate have possibly one of the most heated rivalries in the soccer world, with a history of fatal fan riots and fights. Thus, there is a very probable influence on voters when it comes down to voting for Macri or Filmus, the opponent. Hardcore River fans, could quite possibly take Macri’s association and support of Boca into account in their vote.
In terms of international political relationships, soccer is a very important factor. National soccer teams become informal diplomatic ambassadors. One memorable account was after the inaugural 1930 World Cup in Uruguay, after Uruguay won the World Cup, Argentina severed diplomatic relations with Uruguay. Now, this is not to say that other, probably more professional, political reasons were also involved with the break-up, but soccer definitely played a factor. The vast popularity of soccer clearly has a great effect on politics in Argentina.
The tango is another example. The tango has had its highs and lows in popularity in Argentina, but it has had a big effect on various aspects of politics. The tango has traditionally represented a bit of a class struggle within the Argentine society, and has helped, in a way, to consolidate the lower class in politics. The history behind the tango is that it was danced traditionally at brothels in the early 1900s by men who were waiting their turn in line. The poor men resented the wealthy men who came down to the brothels in the lower class neighborhoods for “stealing” their women. Tango music helped to unify the lower class, especially when the music started to contain lyrics, which were usually emphasized the struggle of the poor. This unification led to a large voting clout of the lower class in Argentina, especially when the right to vote was extended to all males. The result of this was the election of 1916, when the Radical Civic Union party won numerous elections, starting with President Yrigoyen. To a lesser extent, it also affected the ease of Perón’s election in 1945, when he appealed to the working class and created the Peronist party with the unified workers. Tango, thus, has had a great impact on politics.
One of the biggest examples of the influence of popular culture on politics is that of Eva Perón. The mystery of Evita extends beyond what one can read in a newspaper or see written on her tomb. For one part of the population, she was a saint who raised spirits and rallied the working class in her loving embrace. For the rest, she was a bastard, a social climbing menace who was bent on upsetting the status quo for much of the people. Her background shows part of this to be true, as she had no father growing up, became an actress, and then married possibly the most influential military figure in recent history. Even today there are arguments about being Peronist. His success was not entirely his own doing, though, as many policies were set in motion by Evita. She represented the strong-willed woman who sought to correct inequalities. She more or less was an example to the working class to not despair, because there is always hope. Prior to her, it was generally unheard of to cross social class boundaries. Everyone in the military aid to Juan Perón looked down on Eva for her past, which only fueled her desire for more power and privileges. The popularity of Eva Perón and the legacy of Peronism have a great effect on Argentine politics, from the 50s to the present day.
The relationship between politics and popular culture has also been known to go the other way. Politics can influence popular culture in the same way that popular culture influences politics. This relationship also occurs in Argentina. Having been 6 military coups in Argentina’s odd history, there seems to be a recurring theme of bad political policies that upset the people enough to oust the government at the time. Sinclair Lewis is quoted as saying “When fascism comes to America it will be draped in the flag and carrying the cross”. While this was in reference to the United States, it can be applied to Argentina’s situation of recurring dictatorships. Those in charge were able to come to power by promising a better situation to the people; the flag is symbolic of the nationalist feelings. The Catholic Church, while not directly influencing policies of dictators, still supported the policies. The generals in charge have always tried to appease the pope in their manner of ruling; the cross is still very influential in this area of the world. One thing that came out of a military rule was the 1978 World Cup, which Argentina hosted and won. Nobody would have guessed this was possibly the most troubling time in the country’s history, as the government at the time did a good job of covering up its manhunts and putting on a worldly face. Politics, then, can also affect popular culture.
Indeed, Argentina’s politics are very much affected by popular culture. Soccer, the tango, and Evita have vast popular power, going as far as to shape political decisions in the country. Politics also can have an effect on popular culture. It is safe to say that the relationship between politics and popular culture is very strong in Argentina, with each having a large effect on the other.
