“Que se vayan todos!”: Crisis, insurrection and the reinvention of the political in Argentina

Abstract

In December 2001 Argentina experienced a decisive crisis. The financial collapse triggered by massive capital flight was countered by a popular insurrection which, guided by the slogan “que se vayan todos!” (“out with them all!”), toppled the national authorities. While the provisional government negotiates international financial support, popular organization and resistance are expanding in new forms. This paper suggests that the insurrection set a limit to 25 years of capital’s violence and began a process of reinventing politics based on the values of solidarity and dignity.