After a major economic crisis in 2001 Argentina has stabilized and, thanks to a new period of growth, is one of the most developed nations of Latin America. Currently a federal democratic republic with about 40 million inhabitants, the country has experienced political events that have enjoyed widespread coverage at the international level. The final destination of sizeable migration flows, from 1946 to 1955 the Peronist movement arose and ruled Argentina and became a notable variant of the authoritarian model of government. Twenty years of political strife subsequently led in 1974 to General Videla's coup and a dictatorship that lasted until 1983, when Argentina was defeated in the Falklands War. During that dark period of the country's history, opposition movements were repressed with methods that would later be called "dirty war": about 30 thousand were tortured, killed, or thrown out at sea; these desaparecidos still represent a deep, open wound. Unlike Chile and South Africa, Argentina has not resorted to forgiveness and amnesty, and many trials are still underway.

Marzia Rosti is a researcher in Philosophy of Public Law at the University of Milan.