If we can understand how Argentina, a country born of an international character similar to the U.S., fosters an international-leaning patriotism, maybe we can learn a bit about our own national identity as well and why patriotism doesn’t have to be us against the world.
While leaders have a role in inspiring and guiding politics, the real driving force is a type of healthy populism deeply embedded in the Argentine national identity. Politics — and therefore protest — are part of Argentina as much as the mountains are.
Many Latin American countries have turned to Conditional Cash Transfer policies (CCTs) as a way to combat rampant inequality and poverty. The premise is simple: give poor families small sums of cash as long as they keep their kids in school, get them vaccinated, and seek regular medical checkups for children and mothers.
In a cross-campus collaboration, Brendan of Trinity and Emmet of Macalester compiled ideas ranging national policy, to institutional practices and personal choices, which they believe would benefit our democracy.
Next time you meet someone who isn’t voting the way you are, don’t argue at them. Don’t try to convince them of anything. Listen, ask genuine questions, and try to get them to convince you.