Turner's comparisons of Peron to De Gaulle and Kennedy seem particularly apt, for Peron seems to have embodied something of the national spirit of Argentina just as De Gaulle and Kennedy embodied in some way the spirit of their countries, and the hopes of those countries as well. Peron was able to maintain a loyalty among workers, despite the fact that he was able to deliver on only a limited number of his pledges to them. Wynia and D'Abate note this worker loyalty and D'Abate concludes his essay with these words: "Juan Peron, the movement that he led, and the growth of organized labor in Argentina have created a situation in which this message, this emphasis on social and economic quality and on assisting the deprived, cannot be ignored" (p. 73). Peron might not have been able to fulfill his promises to the workers, but the workers believed he was doing his best, and that he was the only leader speaking sincerely to their needs. Turner, Frederick, and Miguens, Jose Enrique. (1983). Juan Peron and the reshaping of Argentina. Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press. Turn concludes his investigation with the declaration that the apparent conflicts between the two major elite groups --large landowners and executives of the biggest businesses --- are not-as great as many imagine. The two groups are, says Turner "far more like one another than they are like other groups in Argentine society" (p. 234). In other words, when the chips are down, the two powerful factions are more likely than not to side with one another to bring about their mutually desired ends. these terms, but charisma, with all its appeal to the populace, may by its very nature cause a leader to overlook the necessity for careful planning and limitations on his own leadership" (p. 8). Wayne Smith chronicles the incredible events which brought Peron back to power in 1973, an occurrence owing as much to the complexities and unpredictability of politics and factional conflicts in Ar |
