The Rise of Right-Wing Libertarianism and Tech-Solutionism: Argentina’s Milei Phenomenon in Global Context

Abstract

This paper examines the rise of right-wing libertarianism and techno-solutionism as interconnected phenomena reshaping global political and economic landscapes, with Argentina under Javier Milei serving as a pivotal case study. It explores how these ideologies, while promising individual empowerment and efficiency, risk exacerbating social inequalities, weakening democratic institutions, and enabling exploitative practices in areas such as resource extraction and technological governance. It also critiques the reduction of complex socio-political issues to technological fixes, which often neglect ethical considerations and reinforce existing power structures. The analysis situates Milei’s policies—such as deregulation—within broader global trends, including the commodification of dissent and the emergence of "platform-states" that challenge traditional notions of sovereignty. By engaging with philosophical frameworks and historical precedents, the paper highlights the dangers of embracing a technocratic, market-driven vision that denies the possibility of collective resistance and political imagination. Finally, the text argues for the need to counter these ideologies through alternative frameworks that prioritise equity, sustainability, and democratic participation.