Argentinian two-party system: evidence and reasons of a persistence (1983-2003)

Abstract

The two main Argentine parties have coexisted for longer than half a century. Over this period, they alternated with each other and with the military to rule the country. From time to time a third party would challenge such a duopoly, but these experiences were ephemeral. This article analyzes the dynamics of party competition since 1983 to describe the evolution of the party system and explain its working mechanics. In order to do so, it assesses the main parties’ historical paths, the electoral results, the parliamentary representation and the parties’ performance at the provincial level. The conclusion is that, notwithstanding some systemic incentives favorable to party pluralism, the Argentine party system has kept a strong two-party dynamics.