From the “industrial mobilization” to the “scientific Argentina”

the organization of science during peronism (1946-1955)

Abstract

The military coup d’état in June 1943 triggered a confrontation between an important sector of the academic community and the political and military power. This fracture was inherited and extended through the Juan D. Peron administration period (1946-1955). The official initiatives linked to the science and technique organisation during this period were oriented to deepen the industrialization process from the military perspective then known as “industrial mobilization”, and to materialized a conception which appeared, at least on the rhetorical level, as a strong connection between scientific research and social justice. In this article we examine the institutional organization of science during Peron administration and the official uses of “science” and “technique” terms as part of the symbolic arsenal, which compounded the core of an intense propaganda campaign deployed by the government. In this context, we also take into account the position supported by several scientists, which opposed to the official initiatives.