Concordancia (Argentina)

Concordancia refers to a specific political coalition and period in Argentine history. More formally known as Concordancia Nacional (National Concordance), it was a coalition of political parties that dominated Argentine politics from 1932 to 1943. This period is often referred to as the Década Infame (Infamous Decade) due to widespread electoral fraud and corruption.

The Concordancia was formed by a union of the following key political forces:

• Partido Demócrata Nacional (PDN): Also known as the Conservative Party, representing the interests of the landowning elite and traditional sectors of society.
• Unión Cívica Radical Antipersonalista (UCR-A): A faction of the Radical Civic Union that had split off earlier, opposing the personalistic leadership style of Hipólito Yrigoyen.
• Partido Socialista Independiente (PSI): A splinter group from the Socialist Party.

The Concordancia came to power following the military coup of 1930 that ousted President Hipólito Yrigoyen. The coalition governed through a combination of repression, electoral fraud, and co-optation, effectively excluding the main body of the Radical Civic Union (UCR) from power. Presidents elected under the Concordancia include Agustín P. Justo, Roberto M. Ortiz, and Ramón S. Castillo.

The political and economic policies of the Concordancia were largely shaped by the global economic crisis of the Great Depression. The coalition favored conservative economic policies and maintained close ties with Great Britain.

The Concordancia's rule came to an end with the military coup of 1943, which ushered in a new era in Argentine politics and ultimately led to the rise of Juan Domingo Perón. The era of the Concordancia is remembered as a period of significant political instability, corruption, and economic hardship for many Argentinians.