On Income Distribution Dynamics in Argentina During the 1976–1983 Dictatorship: A Classical-Structuralist Interpretation

Abstract

The long-lasting, distributive changes in Argentina during the 1970s have been extensively studied from different theoretical perspectives. What has not yet been sufficiently examined, however, are the reasons behind the non-monotonic trends observed on income distribution during this period and, in particular, under the dictatorial regime (1976–83). To fill this gap, we have developed a model inspired in the modern Classical-Structuralist approach to income distribution. We argue that the irregular trend of the real wage reveals that only a partial correspondence exists between the class interests of the 1976 coup and the effects on income distribution of the successive economic programs implemented by the dictatorship.